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The Virginian - Pilot (Norfolk, VA.)
The Hickory baseball team's spot in the Class 5 Region A championship game and the accompanying state tournament berth are in jeopardy after an apparent violation of Virginia High School League pitching regulations.
Hickory starting pitcher Jeron Snellinger was credited with throwing 118 pitches in a region semifinal victory over Maury on Monday. The VHSL has a 110-pitch limit per day, and violation of the rule results in a forfeit and $100 fine for the school.
Region tournament director Lee Martin confirmed that Hickory has forfeited the game but plans to file an appeal. An updated tournament bracket on the VHSL web site has Maury listed in the championship game, playing against Menchville.
VHSL spokesman Mike McCall said late Tuesday that no appeal had been received by the league. Attempts to reach Hickory coach Hank Kraft and athletic director Pat Troia by phone and email were unsuccessful Tuesday night.
If the forfeit is upheld, Maury would play Menchville at 6 p.m. Thursday at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton for the region title. Region finalists earn a spot in next week's Class 5 state tournament.
Hickory defeated Maury 7-3 on Monday. Snellinger was pulled in the seventh inning after a walk, an error and a single loaded the bases.
"He was at 118 (pitches)," Kraft told The Pilot after the game. "I should have gotten him before that, but it's hard when the kid is pitching so well and there's a berth to go to the states on the line."
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