Gap's Talley, Riverheads' Robertson Named All-Star MVPs

HARRISONBURG – The Coaches USA All-Star softball and baseball games played Monday at JMU’s Veterans Memorial Park gave a select group of Shenandoah Valley players one final chance to play in a high school game atmosphere.

Local softball players Maggie Robertson of Riverheads and Buffalo Gap’s Bailey Talley both made the last call one to remember.

Robertson was named the MVP for the Mountain all-stars while Talley earned the MVP nod for the winning Valley team at the all-star showcase.

The Valley team held a 1-0 lead after four innings, but Robertson delivered a clutch two-out double in the top of the fifth inning to drive in the tying run.

With the score still tied in the bottom of the sixth, the Valley team put together a big inning. With the bases loaded and the score tied at 1-1, Talley lined the first pitch she saw in her at-bat to the gap in left-center for a two-run double, giving her team a 3-1 lead. The Valley squad added four more runs in the inning to pull away for a 7-1 victory.

“They had pitched me inside in my first at-bats,” Talley explained, “so I knew they would pitch me there again. I just got off the plate and got the pitch I was expecting and I hit it to the gap.”

Talley, a Randolph-Macon College commit, enjoyed the chance to play another game, after the Bison suffered a tough loss in the Class 1 state semifinals. “Getting to do this was amazing," said Talley. “This was super fun. I would do it again if I could.”

Robertson, who will play at Bridgewater College, also enjoyed the all-star atmosphere. “It was a lot of fun. There was no pressure tonight. Just go out and have fun and play.”

Riverheads’ Ella Galford and Fort Defiance’s Laura Brown joined Robertson on the Mountain team. Playing with Talley on the Valley squad were Stuarts Draft’s Emberly Coffey and Allison Brooks.

On the baseball field, the Mountain team cruised to an 11-2 victory. Both MVPs came from the winning team. Deuce Strosnider of James Wood H.S. had a double, single and a run batted in. Skyline’s Ryan Curl pitched two shutout innings and also had a three-run double in the first.

Two legendary coaches were honored with the Coaches USA Legacy Award.

During the softball game, former Turner Ashby coach Craig Miller was recognized. Miller built a dynasty at TA, winning 333 games, 14 district titles, three regional crowns and one state championship in 2004.

Veteran head coach Jake Hale was honored during the baseball game. Hale spent the final 18 years of his 39-year coaching career at Harrisonburg High where he coached baseball, football and girls basketball. Hale was head baseball coach for 15 seasons with he Blue Streaks, winning 156 games. His team won the Valley District title in 1991 and a year later the team reached the state title game where it suffered a one-run loss.