2004 Warhawks Are Liberty District Champions Again!
The 2004 Madison Warhawks captured their fourth consecutive Liberty District Regular Season Championship and Third Consecutive Liberty District Tournament Championships. It has been an incredible season led by Senior First Team All-District players Johnny Ayers, Matt Riffee, Chris Wimmer and Nick Tomasetti. Junior Brian Eck joined those four on the All-District team and Sophomore Mark Riffee, Seniors Ray Sparrow and Evan Corrothers, Junior Joe Canova and freshman Jason Farley also had outstanding seasons. Ayers was the Liberty District and Northern Region Player of the Year. Matt Riffee and Chris Wimmer were State All-Stars and played for the West Squad for Mark Gjormand who was the Head Coach of the West team. Matt Riffee, who homered, pitched well, went 2 for 3 batting with 2 walks and played 5 positions was named MVP in the Virginia State All-Star game.
The Warhawks pitching staff was led by Matt Riffee with a 1.32 ERA, eight wins and opponents only batted .173 against him. Starters Brian Eck and Jason Farley both had ERA's under 1.80 to provide Madison with a strong rotation. Johnny Ayers had an excellent season as the closer in the bullpen.
The Warhawks as a team hit .344 with the starting line-up of Johnny Ayers, Matt Riffee, Nick Tomasetti, Chris Wimmer, Ray Sparrow, Mark Riffee, Evan Corrothers and Joe Canova each hitting over .300 while Ayers batted .580 and Matt Riffee .400 for the season. The Warhawks outscored opponents 172 -83 in route to a 21-4 record to capture the titles. Madison won 17 straight games after dropping their two first games to capture the regular season title. The Warhawks three-year record was an outstanding 73-8.
Madison's District Tournament Title included outstanding pitching by Jason Farley versus Marshall, Matt Riffee versus Lee, Brian Eck versus Woodson and Johnny Ayers out of the bullpen throughout the tournament. The semi-final win over Lee included an overnight suspension of play capped by an exciting Warhawks rally with Matt Riffee blasting a two-run double to tie the game and then Ray Sparrow doubled in Riffee with the game winning run. The Tournament finals saw the Warhawks score six runs in the first inning against Woodson with two outs. The two-out scoring barrage included a single by Nick Tomasetti, a double by Matt Riffee, singles by Ray Sparrow, Evan Corrothers and Ryan Costello and a three-run home run by Brian Eck. The Warhawks held on to win showing their poise under pressure against a talented Cavalier team.
The Warhawks overcame injuries this season as projected starting pitchers Chris Wimmer and Chris Sterbenz were not able to pitch all season. Outstanding Sophomore outfielder, Mark Riffee injured his knee as the playoffs began and went through rehabilitation to try to get back in the playoff run but did not recover in time.
The Warhawks won their Regional Tournament Opener against Edison behind the outstanding pitching of Matt Riffee and the timely hitting of Nick Tomasetti. The Warhawks were upset by Robinson in extra innings to end their season short of their goal of a third straight Regional Title. In the final game, Brian Eck pitched well but the bullpen could not hold the lead. Robinson tied the game scoring off of reliever Johnny Ayers and the game went to extra innings. Madison had a chance to win in the bottom of the eighth but Robinson snagged a screaming line drive that would have won the game from Matt Riffee to get to the ninth inning. The Rams rallied for five runs to end the game in the ninth and also the 2004 Warhawks season.
The Warhawks were disappointed with the ending but were very proud of keeping the great winning Championship tradition going as they are the 2004 Liberty District Champions!