Extra! Extra! Read All About It! It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again as Alexandria Aces Outlast D.C. Grays in 12-Inning Friday Night Thriller!
ALEXANDRIA, VA — If Opening Day in Port City felt like a nail-biter… Friday night was the sequel no one saw coming!
For the second time in three games, the Alexandria Aces went the distance, and then some, grinding out another epic extra-inning victory, this time over the previously undefeated D.C. Grays, 3-2 in twelve tense frames at Frank Mann Field.
The Aces, now 2-1, might want to start charging rent for these marathon matchups.
With Alexandria Little League in the house, players, parents, and coaches packed the stands as a part of 175 highly spirited fans, the Aces treated the hometown crowd to a pitching duel that unfolded like a suspense novel. Zeros filled the scoreboard until the bottom of the 7th, when Diego Pena (Western Michigan) broke the silence and put Alexandria on the board.
But the Grays punched right back. In the top of the 8th, Andrew Ruggeri (Pennsylvania) evened the score at 1-1, echoing the Aces’ Opening Day dramatics. And just like déjà vu, the game marched into extras.
In the top of the 10th, Grays Joey Chitla (Wofford) gave D.C. a 2-1 edge. But back came the Aces, Owen Peterson (Navy) slid across home as a pinch-runner, knotting things again at 2-2 after ten innings.
The 11th inning? More of the same, goose eggs.
Finally, in the 12th, with the Grays held scoreless, Peterson played the hero once more, scoring the walk-off run to seal another dramatic win for the Aces.
Nate Lake (Shippensburg) came in clutch out of the bullpen and earned the win, backed by solid offensive support from E.J. Hankerson (Maryland), Toby Hueber (Pittsburgh), Diego Pena, Cooper Hums (both from Western Michigan), and local standout Jack Couture (Haverford).
And speaking of Couture—tip your caps, Aces fans. This former PrimeTime Aces player (under Chad White) and 2024 Better Sports Club of Arlington Baseball Sportsman of the Year is not only a two-time All-District pitcher for the Washington-Liberty Generals but also an IB diploma recipient, National Honor Society member, and recognized for Academic Excellence. Salutes to Jack!
In what felt more like a heavyweight title card than a ballgame, the pitching duel lit up the night like Friday Night Fights.
Leading off the battle: Mason Christopher (Seton Hall) stepped onto the mound for the Aces, squaring off against Ethan Nagy (Lock Haven) of the Grays — the opening bout in what would become a thrilling arms race.
Next up, it was a Seton Hall showdown with a twist, as Stephen Curry (Aces) faced down Drew Norton (Dickinson). The punches kept flying as Adam Lehman (Western Michigan) brought the heat for the Aces against Jamie Whittier (Wofford).
Then came the clincher — Nate Lake (Shippensburg) took the mound with ice in his veins, locking horns with Alex Bergen (Gettysburg) in a battle of wills. In the final round, Ty Morris (Marist) stepped in for the Grays, but the Aces landed the knockout blow, sealing the win and handing Morris the loss.
Up Next for the Aces:
Three-game road stretch:
- Saturday, June 7 (7 PM): at South County Braves, South County High School (Lorton)
- Sunday, June 8 (4 PM): at Gaithersburg Giants, Criswell Automotive Field at Kelley Park
- Monday, June 9 (7 PM): at Silver Spring–Takoma Thunderbolts, Blair Stadium
Coming home soon:
- Wednesday, June 11 (6:30 PM): Aces vs. Bethesda Big Train
- Thursday, June 12 (6:30 PM): Aces vs. Southern Maryland Senators
These are can’t-miss matchups, both the Big Train and Senators played in the 2024 League Championship, with Bethesda taking the crown.
Tickets for the Aces’ 2025 season games are going fast. Visit www.alexandriaaces.org
