Patrick Kepler struck out seven in four innings of three-hit ball as Lord Botetourt defeated James River in an intra-county baseball game in Daleville last week.
The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but moved to Thursday due to inclement weather. That allowed Kepler two more days rest after he pitched the Cavs to a win over Patrick Henry the previous Friday. He scattered four walks and three hits and allowed just one earned run before Ramsey Vasser pitched the final three innings for a save, allowing just one hit and no runs.
“Patrick didn’t have his best stuff on the mound on Thursday, but he battled as long as he could to get through four innings,” said LB coach Todd Smith. “Ramsey then came in and did a great job on the mound.”
Coulter Hodges started for River and went three innings with relief help from Dylan McAllister and Andrew Bridges. The Knights led early when Jake Braun led off the game with a walk. He then stole second and scored on Zac Cahoon’s single.
LB tied the game in the bottom of the first, but River regained it with a run in the second as Andrew Bridges walked and moved to third on a walk to Gabe Sebastino and a fly ball. He then scored when Sebastino got in a rundown.
Botetourt took control with five runs in the third, knocking Hodges out of the game. Kepler, Bryce Kelley and Jake Dewease all had two hits for LB and Kepler and Dewease knocked in two runs each. Zac Cahoon had two hits for River.
Botetourt also played host to Liberty in a doubleheader last week and swept the Minutemen, 11-4 and 5-4. In the first game Hunter Duke pitched LB to the win, allowing one earned run before Jared Arnholt pitched the fifth. Kepler and Logan Wood had two hits and two runs batted in each and Arnholt had two hits and one RBI.
In the nightcap Arnholt picked up a win in relief of Nick Lancaster, pitching two innings of no-hit ball. Kepler had two more hits and Meade Mayo hit a game tying three-run homer in the fourth.
“Overall, we played pretty good all week,” said Smith.
River also played two more games last week and split, losing to Staunton River on Wednesday, 6-4, but winning Friday at Parry McCluer, 3-2.
Kevin Theimer started against Staunton River in Springwood and took the loss despite allowing just three hits while fanning five. Sebastino pitched the last two innings.
River had a 4-1 lead early in the game, but Staunton River scored four in the third to take the lead. Michael Taylor and Chase Oberg had two hits each for the Knights.
In Buena Vista, Braun started and went four innings to pick up the win. Kavin Vest pitched three scoreless innings for a save and also had a run-scoring double.
“Playing three games in a week is challenging but if you’re going to win championships you have to play three games in a week,” said coach Harry Falls.
River is now 2-2 and the Knights will host Glenvar on Friday with the jayvees at 4 p.m. and the varsity to follow. Giles is here next Tuesday.
LB, now 4-2, is off this week for spring break, returning April 10 to host William Byrd.
