The incessant chatter resonating from the Goochland Bulldogs’ dugout Thursday night spoke volumes.

It wasn’t just the words, though, or the high decibel level with which those words were delivered.

Instead, it was the spirit and passion with which they flowed for seven quick innings and the boundless hustle they generated, the upshot of which was a 6-0 victory over visiting Fauquier in the quarterfinal round of the Region 3B baseball playoffs.

“You have to keep the energy up, keep the momentum up, and keep the guys rolling,” said junior righthander Charlie Harrington, whose one-hit masterpiece held the Falcons at bay. 

“It’s just positive talk and trusting the work you’ve put in. It’s been three months of work. We’re ready.”

The Bulldogs, 18-4 and the No. 1 seed, earned their first postseason win since 2018 by scoring two runs each in the first, fourth, and sixth.

Harrington, meanwhile, threw just 77 pitches including 60 for strikes, struck out eight, walked none, and allowed a mere three base runners, none of whom advanced past second.

“Everything was working,” he said. “I was laying my curveball, slider, changeup, and fastball in the strike zone. Just threw strikes and let my defense work.”

The No. 8 Falcons from Warrenton ended their season 10-11. 

“You have to have confidence going into every game, no matter what seed they are,” Harrington said. “You treat (every opponent) the same.”

With one out in the first, Sam Farkas walked, then scored Goochland’s first run on Jackson Bell’s double to the 330-foot right field wall.

Logan Everett followed with a two-out single to left, which enabled Bell to score from second on a head-first tone-setting slide that sent dust a-flying, even though there was no attempt to catch him at the plate.

“Coach (Wes) Farkas (in the third base coaching box) kept waving me through,” Bell said. “I said, I’m going to lay out. I’m going to create some energy here. Sliding headfirst creates a lot of buzz. I didn’t know there was no throw, but looking back, I’d do it again.”

Everett led off the home half of the fourth by reaching first on an error and moved to third on Jack Barber’s infield single.

Chase Hicks followed with a single to left, scoring Everett and moving Barber to second.

Kinyon Ross drew a walk to load the bases; then, Bohdan Pisko delivered a sacrifice fly to left to score Barber and put the Bulldogs up 4-0.

With the game moving quickly, Barber led off the sixth with a single to left and advanced a base on a passed ball.

He moved to third when Ross reached first on a fielder’s choice. 

Will Johns followed with a shot to left, which resulted in an error allowing Barber and Ross to race home with ease.

On this clear, breezy, mid-70’s evening, joy abounded amongst the large, engaged contingent of Goochland faithful in attendance. 

“The community is very supportive of every one of us,” Bell said. “You walk into somewhere local like Courthouse Marketplace for breakfast and see a bunch of people who know you play baseball and are very supportive.”

The Bulldogs have won nine of their last 11 games. Three of their four losses this season have been to Class 4 signatories. 

What has enabled them to achieve success?

Strong pitching, of course. Solid defense, for sure. Hot bats, definitely.

There’s more, though…

“It starts with your senior leadership,” said Farkas, their veteran coach. “We have great senior captains (Sam Farkas, Johns, and Bell, who share the role with Harrington). Even the non-captain seniors have had a great approach and want to see the team succeed.

“What I love about this group is they’re very unselfish. These guys root for each other. It’s a very unique dynamic to have the talent and effort, and they really like each other.

“They want to leave a legacy, not just have a great regular season. We’ve talked about, we’ve worked hard in the regular season, but let’s not be done.”

So as they move deeper into the post-season, the Bulldogs have their collective eye trained on the prize. At the same time, they’re having the ride of their lives.

“Playing with the guys is awesome,” Harrington said. “Spending every day with them…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”