HAMPTON, Va. — The defending Class 4 Region A champions are headed back to the state tournament — but it took extra innings to get there.

Gloucester High jumped out to an early lead Monday night, but needed eight innings to edge Smithfield 4-3 in a thrilling regional semifinal. The game-winner came off the bat of Colter Callis, whose single in the bottom of the eighth scored Hank Hardaway and sent the home crowd into celebration.

With the walk-off win, the Dukes (20-4) punched their ticket to the Class 4 state tournament for the third straight season.

Up next: a championship clash with Hampton.

The Crabbers (20-1) mounted a furious comeback in their semifinal, erupting for seven runs in the sixth inning to rally past Jamestown 7-4. Gloucester and Hampton will meet in the Region A final

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