Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 64F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..
Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 64F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Updated: June 18, 2026 @ 5:36 pm
Jefferson’s Mason Lowery (6) pitches as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Josh Stowers (15) arrives at home plate as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
Jefferson’s Nayan Dominguez (9) reacts after striking out as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington fans react to a play as they take on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Eli Smith (14) makes the final pitch of the game against Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Luke Gordon (11) reacts as he walks to first base as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s John Fala (7) prepares to bat as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Chuck Kelley (1), left, collides with Jefferson’s Serf Guerra (13) during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Wyatt Barnett (10) throws the ball to first base as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington courtesy runner Jack Kelley (12) watches a pitch by Jefferson’s Mason Lowery (6) during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington pitcher Eli Smith (left) celebrates with catcher Ryan Anderson after George Washington defeated Jefferson in a WVSSAC baseball state tournament semifinal game Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
Jefferson’s Mason Lowery (6) pitches as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Josh Stowers (15) arrives at home plate as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
Jefferson’s Nayan Dominguez (9) reacts after striking out as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington fans react to a play as they take on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Eli Smith (14) makes the final pitch of the game against Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Luke Gordon (11) reacts as he walks to first base as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s John Fala (7) prepares to bat as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Chuck Kelley (1), left, collides with Jefferson’s Serf Guerra (13) during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington’s Wyatt Barnett (10) throws the ball to first base as George Washington takes on Jefferson during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington courtesy runner Jack Kelley (12) watches a pitch by Jefferson’s Mason Lowery (6) during the 2026 WVSSAC Baseball Tournament semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
George Washington pitcher Eli Smith (left) celebrates with catcher Ryan Anderson after George Washington defeated Jefferson in a WVSSAC baseball state tournament semifinal game Friday, June 12, 2026, at Jack Cook Field in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON — In recent years, George Washington has flashed one of the state’s finest athletic programs, capturing titles in various sports. On Saturday, the Patriots baseball team gets another chance to finally join the parade.
Eli Smith fired a two-hit shutout and Luke Gordon set the tone at the plate as GW earned a 4-0 victory Friday against Jefferson in the WVSSAC Class AAAA state tournament semifinals at Jack Cook Field on the campus of Marshall University.
GW (31-5), the top seed, will face either Hurricane or Morgantown at about 8:15 p.m. Saturday in the championship game. It’s the third time for the Patriots in the final, as they lost 3-2 to Cabell Midland in 2024 and 11-0 to Hurricane in 2022.
“The third time in five years,’’ GW coach Mike Davis said. “Hopefully, the percentages will be on our side and we can finally break through and get one done.
“That speaks volumes to where our program has come, and these kids are just an outstanding group of kids. It’s been the expectation for them since last year. … They’ve had one mission in mind, and we’ve got one more to go.’’
Smith gave GW a second straight outstanding pitching performance in the tournament. On Wednesday, Ty Nettles and Ryan Anderson limited Huntington to one hit during a 6-1 victory.
A High Point commit, Smith allowed just a pair of infield singles in the fifth inning while striking out eight and walking two. Half his punchouts came on called third strikes.
“I was just nice and easy out there,’’ Smith said, “because I knew I had a great defense behind me. If they put it in play, I knew we were getting an out.’’
Davis marveled at Smith’s tenacity on a hot and humid, 85-degree day.
“You can’t measure the heart in somebody,’’ Davis said. You can’t measure the way somebody competes. And he just competed his tail off – gave up two hits. That’s three hits in two games – that’s pretty doggone good. And we did just enough offensively.’’
GW, which produced six hits but only struck out once, scored twice in the third and fourth innings and made it stand up.
Gordon started the scoring with an RBI triple in the third and tallied himself moments later on Joel Nelson’s double. The Patriots added another pair the next inning on a run-scoring single by No. 8 hitter Jackson Engles and Gordon’s bases-loaded walk.
Starter Andrew Engle and reliever Mason Lowery, the two pitchers for Martinsburg (29-8), never retired Gordon, who was 2 for 2 with a double, triple and walk.
“I definitely thought I was seeing the ball well,’’ Gordon said. “I don’t know; I just try to get up there and the guys before me get on base and I try to do my job – get ‘em over, get ‘em in. That’s all I can ask for. Luckily, I hit it well today – all I can ask for.’’
The fifth-seeded Cougars only got two runners as far as second base off Smith. They got two aboard in the second and again in the fifth. Smith fanned five of the final eight batters he faced.
“Give credit to their pitcher. He did a great job,’’ said longtime Jefferson coach John Lowery, who earned his 1,500th career win in the quarterfinals.
“And we’ve struggled at times at the plate. I think the strength of our team has been our defense, and I think you saw that out there today. We’ve been able to manage some runs here or there, but it’s just one of those things today. They have a good team, and you’ve got to tip your hat to them.’’
Andy Roberts and Blake Kutcher turned in the only hits for the Cougars, who lose just four seniors. Next year, John Lowery – no relation to sophomore pitcher Mason Lowery – aims for an incredible 50th straight season of at least 20 wins.
“They’re all disappointed at this point,’’ John Lowery said. “You know how high school kids are. We’ll regroup, we’ll revitalize them and hopefully we can make a run next year.’’
GW, meanwhile, has some history of its own to write on Saturday. Many of Patriots still recall the sting of losing in the 2024 final.
“We know we want it,’’ Smith said. “We’ve been there before, and we know exactly what to do. Just play our game and win.’’
Gordon said the Patriots have to “grind down.’’
“We’ve got a lot to prove,’’ Gordon said. “The job’s still not finished. We’ve got to grind down and just do what we can do to win. All the guys have got to get together and do those things. Play simple baseball – get ‘em on, get ‘em over, get ‘em in.’’
JEFFERSON 000 000 0 — 0 2 1
GEORGE WASHINGTON 002 200 x — 4 6 2
Engle, Lowery (4) and Sager; Smith and Anderson; Top hitters – Jeff: Roberts 1-2; Kutcher 1-2; GW: Gordon 2-2, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI; Nelson 2B, RBI; Barnett 2B; Engles RBI
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Account processing issue – the email address may already exist
Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).
The latest in news, sports and opinion delivered directly to your inbox
The weekend’s biggest headlines in one convenient package
Sign up with
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Invalid password or account does not exist
Sign in with
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Must be at least 8 characters, not contain repeating characters (e.g., 111), and not contain sequential numbers (e.g., 123).
Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
A receipt was sent to your email.