Behind Curley’s 3-hitter, West Potomac tops T.C. for Gunston crown

May 20, 2019 Sports
Tag out at home
West Potomac catcher Alex Grove tags out T.C.’s Jaden Cox after catching a throw home from 3rd baseman Gavin Luscombe.

West Potomac defeated T.C.Williams 9-0 at home on Friday night to claim the school’s second consecutive Gunston District title.

Wolverine senior right-hander Jimmy Curley pitched a complete-game 3-hit shutout, striking out 15 and walking none. Curley, who will play collegiality at High Point, threw only 14 balls in seven innings.

Offensively, West Potomac was led by Justin Bassett (2 RBIs, 3 stolen bases, 2 runs), Jacob Trumbo (2 RBIs), and Liam Airey (1 RBI, 1 run, 1 double), who each had two hits.

First-year head coach Jimmy Linza said the play of the game came in the bottom of the 3rd, just after the Wolverines had taken a 2-0 lead. Jack Bachmore’s hustle on a two-out grounder to shortstop resulted in an errant throw into the runner that led to a collision, an error, a run scored, and an unfortunate injury to the Titans’ Nathan Keough, which caused him to leave the game.

The inning extended, West Potomac tacked on two more runs to lead 5-0.

TC player in the air to make a catch as West Po player stands on third base
The Wolverines’ Liam Airey pulls into 3rd  base on a hit in the 6th inning after a Jacob Trumbo hit. (Lynn Dean image)

With a record of 15-5 — including a perfect 8-0 record in the district — the 2019 Wolverines are in position to become one of the best squads in school history. West Potomac will open regional play on Friday at 6:30 p.m., hosting the winner of Tuesday’s Hayfield/Robinson contest.

The Wolverines are looking for their first region title in baseball since 1994, when they finished as Virginia AAA runners-up.

Notes: Linza has now won district titles at West Potomac, Hayfield (2011), and Mount Vernon (2001, 2003, 2004). Neither Hayfield nor Mount Vernon has won a title since he left …. Curley has a 5-2 record on the season and a 0.78 ERA … West Potomac lost to Woodson in last year’s regional quarterfinals.