HAMPTON - The Apprentice School baseball team took care of business on opening day of the 2023 season, sweeping Virginia Peninsula Community College Wednesday at War Memorial Stadium.

GAME 1 - AS 2, VPCC 0
It was a pitching gem for the Builders as Nick Redman opened the season with four shutout innings, allowing just one hit and fanning six. Apprentice got on the board in the bottom of the first when Caleb Russell singled through the six hole to plate Nate Yeary and push the score to 1-0.

One inning later, Isaac McCallister, fresh off a diving catch in right field in the top of the frame, singled with two on to push Nolan Edwards across from second to get to the final score.

Bryce Post and Logan Mize pitched the final three innings with the latter getting the save.

GAME 2 - AS 3, VPCC 2
Again, Apprentice jumped out to the early 1-0 lead in the first inning as Russell doubled to score McCallister and take the early advantage. The Builders kept the pressure on in the opening frame, loading up the bases before Hunter Johnson drew a walk to double the lead.

VPCC answered in the sixth, scoring on a RBI single and a sacrifice fly to tie the game up, 2-2. The Builders were down to the final out in regulation before Russell blasted a first pitch bomb into the Builder bullpen in the bottom of the seventh to walk off the opener.

Logan Earley pitched the opening five innings before getting a no-decision. He struck out five on the day. Aiden Henry got the win, closing out the seventh inning by recording the final two outs in the tie game.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Russell finished the day 4-for-7 at the plate.
• The Builders have won five of the last six season openers.

NEXT UP

Apprentice will host Penn State Mont Alto in a doubleheader on February 18 at 1 p.m.