Successful Season Ends in Championship Loss for Matrix

Greater Manassas Baseball League (GMBL) team Manassas Matrix lost to Arlington in the Babe Ruth Leagues of Virginia, Inc. 2012 14-year-olds Baseball State Tournament Monday. 

An hour into the game Matrix held the lead, 5-1; but it didn't take long for an undefeated Arlington to step to the challenge and ultimately win the game, 12-6.

The Manassas Matrix team for this age group has never made it to the championship game, and it has been at least nine years since a GMBL team has won a state championship. The team still gets to participate in the Southeast Regional Tournament, which begins Aug. 2 in Loudoun County.

"The opportunity to go play in Regionals is just huge," said GMBL volunteer Kenny Loveless, whose son plays on the Matrix.

Matrix is made up of a group of GMBL All Stars -some of whom have been playing with each other for at least seven years thanks to the efforts of Coach Keven Jennings, who is also a Prince William County Police officer.

The local team came in second place out of nine teams participating in the tournament.

Manassas Matrix team roster: Danny Pignone, Steve Smith, Brooks Knight, Eric Jennings, Noah Robertson, David Hartsell, George Killian, Ryan Ramseyer, Brandon Warren, Alex Pascarella, Chris Loveless, Caleb Maige, Aron Zargapur, Kyle Darmstead and Zach Willis.

Coaches: Dustin Hobson, Ken Ramseyer, Brian Knight; Manager Kevin Jennings