Photo by Leigh Downey
The James River baseball team was scheduled to host Glenvar on Tuesday of this week, then wrap up the regular season with four straight games on the road. The Knights are scheduled to play at Bath County on Friday and at Floyd County next Tuesday.
River comes into the week at 4-3 in the Three Rivers District and 7-8 overall after defeating Radford on the road last week, 7-2. The Knights broke a 1-1 tie with five runs in the top of the fifth inning while Evan Joyce and Levi Peck combined to allow one earned run. Joyce pitched four and two thirds innings and struck out 10, then Peck went the last two and third and allowed one hit and fanned four. Joyce got the win and Peck picked up a save.
“I feel very strongly that we depend on our pitching and defense to win games,” said River coach Chance Henry. “That is what drove us in this game. Evan Joyce did a good job of getting himself out of trouble and putting guys away. He’s been a steady force for us on the mound all year and continues to do his job when he is tasked with being on the mound. Levi Peck continues to be a great closer, he just attacks the zone and puts teams on their heels with how aggressive he is on the mound.”
On offense Cam Saunders drilled a grand slam home run in the fifth inning rally. It was his first career big fly.
“It doesn’t show in the box score but if we were at a different ball park Cam probably would’ve had two home runs at least,” said Henry. “He was hitting shots during this game. Hopefully this can propel us into the last couple weeks and we can improve on our regional standing and get ourselves a home playoff game.”
