Chatham baseball knocks Nelson out in Dogwood semis

CHATHAM — Any concerns Chatham coach Chad Anderson had about his team’s offense slowing down were quickly quashed. Gavin Hylton and Drew Kirks smashed back-to-back home runs in the first inning as Chatham rolled Nelson County 12-3 in the Dogwood District semifinals on Wednesday.

“This week is really important for us to get hot going into the regional tournament …,” said Anderson, whose Cavaliers have already secured a spot in next week’s Region B tournament.

The Cavaliers (18-2), who had played only once a week for the past two weeks, didn’t show any signs of sluggishness despite their light schedule at the end of the regular season. Chatham pounded out 17 hits, including seven in the first inning. Drew Arnold and Tyler Younger both reached safely before Hylton knocked his 10th homer of the season over the fence in left-center. Kirks followed with a blast — his fifth of the season — that landed halfway up into the tall tree line in right-center.

Chatham’s five-run first inning was the worst-case scenario that Nelson County coach Scott McGarry had hoped to avoid.

“They’re a hard team,” said McGarry, whose team finished 10-11. “Once they get out in front, it’s a tough race to catch up in.”

The Cavaliers scored at least one run in every inning they batted except for the sixth. Kirks was 4-for-5 with two RBIs and four runs scored and Hylton, who was a triple shy of the cycle, was 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Chatham also got three hits from Arnold and a home run from Beau Cassada.

Once Chatham grabbed the early lead, starting pitcher Matt Bray held Nelson County’s offense in check. Bray struck out eight and allowed one unearned run in five innings on the mound. Kirks pitched the final two innings while striking out five.

“Insurance is always a great break,” Bray said of the early run support. “I’m used to it. We’ve been doing it all year, and it makes things easier.”

Chatham’s bats also provided a scare in the third inning. Younger roped a lone drive off the left leg of Governors starting pitcher Colton Harris. Harris remained on the ground for several minutes as he was attended to by the coaches and staff. Harris was helped off the field, but McGarry said he didn’t think the injury was serious.

“He’s going to be OK,” McGarry said. “It’s scary anytime you see that. The way those guys swing the bats, that’s just a dangerous ball coming back and I’m just glad it hit him as low as it hit him and where it hit him.”

Chatham will face Gretna for the Dogwood District title on Friday at 6 p.m. The Hawks defeated Appomattox 7-3 on Wednesday to secure a spot in the championship game, as well as next week’s region tournament.

“Gretna is scrappy. They’re improved, and they’ve been fairly hot lately,” Anderson said.

“I hope we keep swinging the bat. We’ll see.”

Wilson writes for The Danville Register & Bee.