Olivia Simmons did it all for the Knights in an 8-0 shutout win over Floyd County in Springwood Monday. Olivia pitched a no hitter with 14 strikeouts and only one walk and also went three-for-four at the plate with a double and three RBIs.
“Olivia was at her best, especially as the game went along,” said River coach Steve Austin. “She seems to be rounding into top form as we approach conference play.”
A fourth inning walk to Macey Vest denied Simmons a perfect game. A fine backhand play by the River pitcher on a ball hit up the middle by Abby Cox preceded the walk. In the sixth inning, with one out, Erin Peery made an over the shoulder grab on a looper to right off of the bat of Shaylee Gearhart that at first looked like it might drop.
The Knights benefited from 10 walks and they collected 10 hits in the contest. In a five-run second inning, River received three free passes and got three hits. Lakota Lucado also had three hits for James River and she scored two runs. Cameron Hildebrand had a hit and two RBIs.
“It was good to see our team show some emotion,” said Austin. “This is a long, grueling, season and we’ve been a little flat for a couple weeks. We have to rediscover the emotion and intangibles that have carried us for most of the year. Monday was an encouraging step in that direction.”
The Knights ran their record to 14-3, including 8-0 in Three Rivers District play. The Knights are scheduled to play at Radford today and on Thursday they’ll complete a suspended game with Auburn, beginning at 4:45 p.m.