Preps Plus

Albemarle High School has filed a formal appeal on behalf of the school’s baseball team after last night’s AAA state quarterfinal against James River was cut short due to darkness and then later called by the Virginia High School League.

“The VHSL has been very helpful, they’re not trying to damage anyone,” said Albemarle athletic director Rick Vrhovac. “We will know something this afternoon.”

Albemarle filed the formal appeal around 10:30 a.m. this morning, an appeal that was supported by both the school’s principal Matthew Haas and Albemarle County Schools superintendent Pam Moran.

“We may not like that decision, but we will certainly honor that decision,"said Albemarle coach Carroll Bickers. “I can’t discuss that appeal process [or the contents of the appeal] now.”

As reported by Daily Progress correspondent Ryan Yemen last night, Albemarle completed 4.5 innings of play after a pair of rain delays, which under VHSL rules constitutes a full game. The game was then called due to darkness and both James River officials and Bickers agreed to pick up the rest of the game today at 5 p.m.

After the Albemarle squad’s departure, the VHSL ruled that the game would stand as is, with James River winning 5-4. While on the road, Bickers received a call from a reporter who was the first to inform him of the decision. Bickers informed his players of the decision later that night when they arrived back at Albemarle High’s campus.