By Ron Houser
Eagle Correspondent
Published: April 24, 2008

Eight runs batted in, a grand slam homer and a three run homer. Not a bad game for most high school teams. Madison County designated hitter Dylan Shifflette accomplished those feats himself in Madison’s 12-2 victory over George Mason April 15.

“I don’t really know what to say,” said Shifflette. “Coach Londrey gave me a tip that has really helped my timing at the plate.”

The Mountaineers provided starting pitcher Justin Dodson with more than enough run support. Dodson limited the Mustangs to two runs on four hits to register his fourth win of the season. The win pushed MC to 2-0 in the district.

With two runners on base in the Madison half of the second inning, Shifflette blasted a 2-0 pitch deep into the centerfield bleachers for a three run homer and 3-0 lead. Madison entered the sixth inning leading 4-2. After getting the first two outs relatively easily, the Mustang pitching faltered.

Dodson helped his own cause when he reached first on a fielder’s choice, Bradley Gentry (1-3) and Kyle Louk drew walks to load the bases. Evan Tucker (1-3, 2 RBI) delivered a single plating two MC runs. Matt Racer drew a base on balls to reload the bases. Jacob Houser (2-2, 2 RBI) promptly lined a base hit to center, picking up two RBIs and increasing the lead to 8-2. After Logan Dodson (1-2) was hit by a pitch to load the bases once more, Shifflette approached the plate.

“I was just trying to put a good swing on the first decent pitch I saw,” said Shifflette. The third pitch of his at bat must have been “decent.” Shifflette drove the ball out of the park for a grand slam and his third homerun of the year to end the game via the “slaughter rule”. “I don’t think I have ever hit two homers in a game before.”

The next day, Wednesday, Madison traveled to Fluvanna County for a non-district tilt. Madison ended up on the short end of a back and forth affair, 8-7. Madison was led at the plate by Gentry (2-3, 1 RBI), Logan Dodson (2-3, 2 runs scored), Shifflette (3-4, 2 runs scored) and Casey Campbell, who got his first hit and RBI on the season.

“Dylan usually hits for me so I have to be ready when I get the chance,” said the sophomore centerfielder.

Madison closed the week with a solid 5-1 district win over Clarke County. Senior hurler Chris Deane pitched a complete game gem, allowing only one run on four hits. Deane struck out eight Eagles and did not issue a walk. Senior second baseman Matt Lambert ignited the Mountaineer offense with a triple and two runs scored. Gentry and Tucker added two hits each. Campbell added his second hit in two games with a pinch hit single in the top of the seven.

Madison was 7-6 overall and 3-0 in the district at The Eagle’s press time.