06/05/2025
Great article on the back story of these two programs!
Tim Hayes
The baseball programs at John Battle and Lebanon go way back – Battle’s first-ever game happened to be a 15-1 win over the Pioneers on April 8, 1960, when Doug Vincill and Sherrill Heath keyed the victory – and have played some meaningful contests against each other through the years.
The old rivals reunite today at 6 p.m. when the Trojans (19-8) host Lebanon (21-4) in the finals of the VHSL Region 2D tournament in what will be the first meeting between the clubs in four years.
A large crowd is expected on Battle Hill to see the long-awaited matchup between teams that have been the kings of the hill in combining to win the last six Region 2D titles.
Lebanon took the prize in 2019 and 2021 – beating Battle en route to the crown both times – along with claiming gold last spring.
The Trojans took the top spot in 2022 and 2023 when Lebanon was temporarily shifted from Class 2 to the Class 1 ranks by the Virginia High School League.
Tim Hayes
The baseball programs at John Battle and Lebanon go way back – Battle’s first-ever game happened to be a 15-1 win over the Pioneers on April 8, 1960, when Doug Vincill and Sherrill Heath keyed the victory – and have played some meaningful contests against each other through the years.
The old rivals reunite today at 6 p.m. when the Trojans (19-8) host Lebanon (21-4) in the finals of the VHSL Region 2D tournament in what will be the first meeting between the clubs in four years.
A large crowd is expected on Battle Hill to see the long-awaited matchup between teams that have been the kings of the hill in combining to win the last six Region 2D titles.
Lebanon took the prize in 2019 and 2021 – beating Battle en route to the crown both times – along with claiming gold last spring.
The Trojans took the top spot in 2022 and 2023 when Lebanon was temporarily shifted from Class 2 to the Class 1 ranks by the Virginia High School League.
One of the teams will get their hands on the trophy again on Thursday and that’s not all that is at stake.
The winner will also get to host a VHSL Class 2 state quarterfinal game on Tuesday and avoid making the long haul to either Dan River or Appomattox.
Lebanon vs. John Battle.
John Battle vs. Lebanon.
Yeah, this should be good.
“I think both teams are very solid and expect a very competitive game,” said John Battle coach Jimmy Gobble. “This game is important for seeding purposes but to us it’s going to be keeping it simple and staying in the moment.”
Having played in the state finals four times in the last six years, Lebanon is accustomed to competing in trophy games against quality opponents.
“Battle is a good program,” said Lebanon coach Cody Compton. “They do a lot of things right. Our guys are excited for the chance to play in a big game. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing in a postseason game, they are all big games.”
Battle has been winning big as the Trojans beat Lee High (15-2), Union (13-5) and Abingdon (6-2) to win the Mountain 7 District tournament and have topped Tazewell (9-1) and Gate City (12-1) thus far in the regional tourney.
“They have a good baseball team,” Compton said. “They hit one through nine, are solid defensively and can pitch well. They are well-coached and they will compete the whole game.”
You can’t count out Lebanon until the final out is made as the Pioneers have proven in their last three games, all featuring rallies and all ending with a 4-3 score.
The Pioneers trailed 3-0 after five innings against Richlands in the finals of the Southwest District tournament before rallying for an eight-inning win.
Lebanon scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Wise County Central in the first round of the regional tourney.
The Pioneers erased a 3-1 sixth-inning deficit to rally pats Union in Tuesday’s regional semifinals.
Mount St. Mary’s signee Nathan “Tater” Phillips, Alice Lloyd College-bound Eli Breeding, Toby Baker, Booker Steffey, Luke Garrett, Jake Hilton and Noah Delp are among varsity veterans for the Pioneers. In another intriguing storyline in this evening's game, Lake Baldwin played for John Battle last season before transferring to Lebanon.
“Our guys battle,” Compton said. “They work hard and they are willing to do what it takes in in those tough moments. We preach learn from it and move on. This game has a way of finding you when you are down. [Tuesday] night Booker [Steffey] had a play at shortstop that he felt he should have made, and he could have hung his head and not been ready for his at-bat where he drove in the tying runs, to go with the heads up baserunning that led to him scoring the go-ahead run.”
Meanwhile, seniors and four-year starters Porter Gobble (.453 batting average, four home runs, 25 RBIs) and Elijah Childress (.420, five homers, 34 RBIs) have led John Battle at the plate.
Porter Gobble and left-hander Noah Hill have anchored the pitching staff. Gobble has signed with Walters State Community College and Hill is a Milligan University commit.
“Our team is a mixture – we have solid arms and a steady lineup that has some pop,” Jimmy Gobble said. “I think we have grown in the box a lot this year from the beginning until now. I am proud of these boys and the adjustments they have made throughout this season. Pitching has been a solid foundation for us consistently this year and I’m hopeful we can work ahead and stay ahead; keeping positive counts while pitching is key.”
Postseason History
Playoff matchups between the Lebanon Pioneers and John Battle Trojans in the last 40 years:
2021: Lebanon 5, John Battle 0 (Region 2D Semifinals)
2019: Lebanon 9, John Battle 1 (Region 2D Finals)
2018: John Battle 5, Lebanon 4 (Region 2D Quarterfinals)
2017: John Battle 6, Lebanon 5 (Clinch Mountain Conference Finals)
2012: John Battle 12, Lebanon 2 (Clinch Mountain District Semifinals)
2011: Lebanon 11, John Battle 4 (Clinch Mountain District Third-Place Game)
2008: John Battle 16, Lebanon 6 (Clinch Mountain District Semifinals)
2007: John Battle 4, Lebanon 1 (Hogoheegee District Semifinals)
2004: John Battle 7, Lebanon 0 (Hogoheegee District Semifinals)
2002: John Battle 7, Lebanon 5 (Hogoheegee District Finals)
1996: John Battle 2, Lebanon 0 (Hogoheegee District Finals)
1986: Lebanon 5, John Battle 4 (Southwest District First Round)
People are also reading…
Southwest Virginia localities listed as "sanctuary" jurisdictions by Department of Homeland Security
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Big inning propels Chilhowie past Rye Cove in Region 1D quarterfinals
HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS: Patrick Damron steps down after 13 seasons leading Eastside f
One of the teams will get their hands on the trophy again on Thursday and that’s not all that is at stake.
The winner will also get to host a VHSL Class 2 state quarterfinal game on Tuesday and avoid making the long haul to either Dan River or Appomattox.
Lebanon vs. John Battle.
John Battle vs. Lebanon.
Yeah, this should be good.
“I think both teams are very solid and expect a very competitive game,” said John Battle coach Jimmy Gobble. “This game is important for seeding purposes but to us it’s going to be keeping it simple and staying in the moment.”
Having played in the state finals four times in the last six years, Lebanon is accustomed to competing in trophy games against quality opponents.
“Battle is a good program,” said Lebanon coach Cody Compton. “They do a lot of things right. Our guys are excited for the chance to play in a big game. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing in a postseason game, they are all big games.”
Battle has been winning big as the Trojans beat Lee High (15-2), Union (13-5) and Abingdon (6-2) to win the Mountain 7 District tournament and have topped Tazewell (9-1) and Gate City (12-1) thus far in the regional tourney.
“They have a good baseball team,” Compton said. “They hit one through nine, are solid defensively and can pitch well. They are well-coached and they will compete the whole game.”
You can’t count out Lebanon until the final out is made as the Pioneers have proven in their last three games, all featuring rallies and all ending with a 4-3 score.
The Pioneers trailed 3-0 after five innings against Richlands in the finals of the Southwest District tournament before rallying for an eight-inning win.
Lebanon scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Wise County Central in the first round of the regional tourney.
The Pioneers erased a 3-1 sixth-inning deficit to rally pats Union in Tuesday’s regional semifinals.
Mount St. Mary’s signee Nathan “Tater” Phillips, Alice Lloyd College-bound Eli Breeding, Toby Baker, Booker Steffey, Luke Garrett, Jake Hilton and Noah Delp are among varsity veterans for the Pioneers. In another intriguing storyline in this evening's game, Lake Baldwin played for John Battle last season before transferring to Lebanon.
“Our guys battle,” Compton said. “They work hard and they are willing to do what it takes in in those tough moments. We preach learn from it and move on. This game has a way of finding you when you are down. [Tuesday] night Booker [Steffey] had a play at shortstop that he felt he should have made, and he could have hung his head and not been ready for his at-bat where he drove in the tying runs, to go with the heads up baserunning that led to him scoring the go-ahead run.”
Meanwhile, seniors and four-year starters Porter Gobble (.453 batting average, four home runs, 25 RBIs) and Elijah Childress (.420, five homers, 34 RBIs) have led John Battle at the plate.
Porter Gobble and left-hander Noah Hill have anchored the pitching staff. Gobble has signed with Walters State Community College and Hill is a Milligan University commit.
“Our team is a mixture – we have solid arms and a steady lineup that has some pop,” Jimmy Gobble said. “I think we have grown in the box a lot this year from the beginning until now. I am proud of these boys and the adjustments they have made throughout this season. Pitching has been a solid foundation for us consistently this year and I’m hopeful we can work ahead and stay ahead; keeping positive counts while pitching is key.”
Postseason History
Playoff matchups between the Lebanon Pioneers and John Battle Trojans in the last 40 years:
2021: Lebanon 5, John Battle 0 (Region 2D Semifinals)
2019: Lebanon 9, John Battle 1 (Region 2D Finals)
2018: John Battle 5, Lebanon 4 (Region 2D Quarterfinals)
2017: John Battle 6, Lebanon 5 (Clinch Mountain Conference Finals)
2012: John Battle 12, Lebanon 2 (Clinch Mountain District Semifinals)
2011: Lebanon 11, John Battle 4 (Clinch Mountain District Third-Place Game)
2008: John Battle 16, Lebanon 6 (Clinch Mountain District Semifinals)
2007: John Battle 4, Lebanon 1 (Hogoheegee District Semifinals)
2004: John Battle 7, Lebanon 0 (Hogoheegee District Semifinals)
2002: John Battle 7, Lebanon 5 (Hogoheegee District Finals)
1996: John Battle 2, Lebanon 0 (Hogoheegee District Finals)
1986: Lebanon 5, John Battle 4 (Southwest District First Roun
