Photos by Jenn King
It will be a battle of Rivers on Thursday when fourth seeded James River plays host to fifth seeded Dan River in the first round of the Region 2C baseball tournament. Game time is 6 p.m. in Springwood.
The Knights are 13-10 after ending the regular season with a big win over Carroll County in Hillsville last week. Cam Saunders had a memorable day, pitching five and a third shutout innings and hitting an eighth inning home run as River took a 1-0 extra-innings win.
“What a finish to a good season!” said River coach Chance Henry. “We haven’t even been close to beating Carroll County in four years and to do it on their Senior Night was even sweeter. The boys were pumped for this one. The rain made it weird and the later it got the more energy we had.”
Saunders started on the mound and allowed just two hits over five and a third innings while striking out six. Levi Peck came on after a rain delay and pitched the final two and two-thirds innings of hitless ball, allowing just one baserunner on a walk. Levi struck out four and picked up the win when Saunders sent one out of the yard in the top of the eighth inning.
“Cam continued his hot streak on the mound and was fantastic,” said Henry. “He would’ve went longer if not for a 45-minute rain delay. Levi did a great job of pounding the zone and keeping their hitters off balance.”
River won the game with just four hits, two by Jeremiah Mays and one each by Merit Hammons and Saunders.
“It’s a broken record but pitching and defense is our strong suit,” said Henry. “It’s how we win. We threw the ball great, and while we didn’t play perfect defense we made all the plays we needed to in the big moments.”
The Knights have had a week off to get ready for the region tournament. Thursday’s winner advances to a game on Monday, June 1, against the winner of a first round game between top-seeded Appomattox and eighth seeded Liberty.
“We have a lot of momentum heading into our region game and hopefully we win it and do something that hasn’t been done at James River in over a decade– win a playoff game,” said Henry. “Sometimes teams get hot late and it can last. Hopefully that’s us this year.”
