Boyd-Buchanan was able to fend off a "scrappy" Siverdale Baptist Academy baseball team in their fifth meeting this season to claim the Region 3-A title Wednesday.
The Buccaneers' bats were hot early and late to help secure the 8-4 win at home.
"I'm proud of our guys and how they battled back," Boyd-Buchanan coach Taylor Gilley said. "I'm glad our guys didn't lay down, because Silverdale is a scrappy team and we knew it was going to be a fight."
The Bucs scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning, sending 11 batters to the plate in the process.
Cade Evans walked and scored on Cooper Hodge's single, and Boyd-Buchanan loaded the bases with a double and a single. Starting pitcher Brandon Willingham walked to score a run before a fielder's choice prevented another run and got the Seahawks their first out. The bases stayed full for EJ Matthews, who walked to score another ahead of Bray Wilson's double that brought in the final two runs of the inning.
"That's a potent offense, and they're going to be tough," Silverdale coach Jonathan Adcock said. "Our execution of the little things just wasn't there. We had some opportunities but didn't take advantage. I wish we could have executed a little better at the start."
Michael Weiss got the call in relief to help limit the damage. After getting out of the first inning, Weiss shut the Bucs down until the fifth with a little help from the defense.
"He was throwing low strikes and getting his curveball over, which is what you have to do against a team like Boyd," Adcock said. "The defense came up big, too, with a couple of double plays. We gave up all those runs and didn't give up and battled back."
Weiss kept the Seahawks in it, and they got a run in the second inning on Collin Daniel's double. And with the deficit still at 5-1, they were able to break through in the third.
Hayden Spencer reached on a fielder's choice following Tyler Mossburg's single, and Alex Gonzalez walked. Cleanup hitter Blake Howard then stepped to the plate and sent a towering three-run blast over the right-field fence to bring Silverdale within one.
Willingham was able to settle in, though, and those were the last runs he allowed in six innings of work, scattering eight hits and racking up eight strikeouts.
"It helps to send a senior to the mound in games like this," Gilley said. "Brandon gave us a good outing. It was gutsy. He got stronger as the game went on, which is something he's done all year. He never gave up, which inspires our team to follow."
Boyd-Buchanan got some insurance with a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to give freshman Casey Pate some room to work with in the seventh.
Willingham helped with a single in the fifth that scored Seth Rodgers, who delivered a run-scoring single of his own in the sixth. Colby Morgan scored on Rodgers' single after doubling to deliver another run.
"It was good not going into the seventh with the game still 5-4," Gilley said. "I was able to breathe a little easier, but Casey came in and closed the door, which was big."
Boyd-Buchanan will host Gordonsville in a sectional, and Silverdale will travel to Goodpasture.
Contact Idris Garcia at sports@timesfreepress.com