🏆 Region 5D Recap: Lightridge and Riverbend Hold the Line

The VHSL Region 5D tournament delivered with playoff intensity — and not a single upset. Every higher seed held firm, setting up a regional final worthy of the rankings.

Lightridge, the top seed after a rain-soaked Potomac District tournament, made a definitive statement. They blanked Independence for the third time this season, riding dominant pitching and timely hitting straight into the championship game.

From the south, Riverbend stormed through the bracket, knocking out the defending Class 5 state champs, Riverside, in a game that turned heads statewide. That win earned them a showdown at Lightridge — a duel of elite defenses and big-game arms.

In the final, it was Lightridge’s night. A clutch two-run homer opened the scoring, and their ace delivered a two-hit shutout to secure the Region 5D crown. Both teams now advance to the VHSL Class 5 State Tournament, facing Region 5C challengers in the quarterfinals.

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⚔️ Lightridge: Battle-Tested & Built for June

In 2024, Lightridge was the surprise underclass-led squad that crashed the state tournament party. In 2025, they’re the team nobody wants to face.

They intentionally built a brutal schedule, and it paid off: wins over the reigning Class 4 (Woodgrove), Class 5 (Riverside), and Class 6 (Osbourn Park) champions showed they’re no fluke.

Anchored by a lights-out pitching staff (team ERA: 0.90) and an explosive, unforgiving lineup, Lightridge has spent most of the season as Virginia’s highest-rated public school on MaxPreps. Now they’ll look to finish what they started.

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🔥 Riverbend: Red-Hot & Ready to Shock the State

Riverbend stumbled early, losing 3 of their first 5. But since then? 20 straight wins. And none bigger than knocking out last year’s state champion, Riverside.

They’re rolling into the state tournament with swagger, powered by a balanced attack and a locker room that believes.

Their reward? A first-round test against the undefeated Region 5C champion. It’s a tall order—but if any team has the fire and the fight to pull it off, it’s this one.