By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

STAUNTON — A night after seeing a comeback fall short, Winchester made sure they finished the job on Wednesday.

The Royals overcame an early deficit and pulled out an 8-3 win over the Staunton Braves in Game 2 of their first-round Valley League series. The win evens the best-of-three series and forces a decisive Game 3 tonight at Bridgeforth Field in Winchester.

"With this team we're never behind," Winchester's Joe Agreste said. "We didn't give up. We just kept battling."

The Royals trailed 7-0 in Game 1, but battled back to tie the game before losing in the ninth.

The Royals scored four runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to rally for the win in Game 2.

In the top of the sixth, Agreste led off with a double, thanks to some aggressive baserunning.

"Every time I hit, I'm trying to get an extra base out of it," Agreste said. "I want to get myself in scoring position for the guys behind me."

Agreste's double was the first hit of the game off Staunton starter Gerard Sokolis. Tyler Townsend and Mickey Wiswall drew back-to-back walks, and Aaron Dudley hit a two-run single into right field. The throw to home got away from Staunton catcher Jason Stifler, allowing Wiswall to score the tying run.

"I was sitting on a fastball and that's what he gave me," Dudley said.

One out later, Kyle Galbraith's sacrifice fly scored Dudley with the go-ahead run.

Even though Sokolis had dominated through the first five innings, the Royals were confident — thanks to their coach, John Lowery Jr. — that their offense would eventually come to life.

"Coach Lowery had told us [Sokolis] was slow, but effective," Dudley said. "He told us to make him throw a lot of pitches and he might get tired."

"I think he started getting a little tired and they got the better of him," Staunton manager Lance Mauck said.

The Royals broke the game open in the top of the seventh. Gino Matias, Agreste and Townsend hit consecutive singles to load the bases off Staunton reliever Donald Howell. Wiswall followed with a two-run single to stretch the lead to 6-3. Dudley followed with an RBI single for a 7-3 lead.

While the Royals bats were finally coming to life, their pitching was also solid. After a shaky start, Winchester starter Taylor Hill settled down. He went five innings, allowing only three runs on three hits. Chris Rigo pitched the final four inning in relief for the Royals. He allowed only three hits and struck out three.

"Rigo is the No. 1 starter at [Ohio University]," Lowery said. "He did a phenomenal job for us."

For the second straight night the Braves jumped out to an early lead. Staunton used back-to-back homers to take a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Donovan Huffer singled with one out in the bottom of the first. Max Most then drilled a pitch from Hill over the center-field fence for a 2-0 lead.

Blake McDade followed by sending an 0-2 pitch over the wall in right field to make it 3-0.

"They've got some good hitters," Agreste said. "You've got to give them credit. Max Most has been hitting the heck out of the ball."

After trailing big in the first game, the Royals didn't get flustered despite being down. The comeback they had in the first game gave them confidence for Game 2.

"[Tuesday night] was big for us ... It gave us a confidence boost," Dudley said.

The Braves were led at the plate by McDade, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Mauck said his team needs to do a better job at finishing games.

"We get a little complacent when we get a lead," Mauck said. "They didn't leave guys on base and we did."

The Royals were led at the plate by Agreste and Dudley with two hits each.

Staunton will pitch Josh McQuade, while the Royals will use either Justin Collop or John Leonard. Lowery said Collop, who was supposed to start Game 2, has been ill the last few days. If he's healthy, he will pitch in favor of Leonard.

No matter who pitches, the Royals, who have now won eight of their last nine games, are confident in their offense.

"You can't look at it like it's a big game and put too much pressure on yourselves," Dudley said. "You have to approach it the right way. You just have to relax and have fun."

*Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com

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