Photo by Jim Devinney
The Lord Botetourt softball team has two key Blue Ridge District games this week as the Cavs jockey for position in the post-season. Botetourt had undefeated Staunton River at home on Tuesday, then the Cavaliers are at William Byrd on Friday.
LB is 3-2 in the district and 7-7 overall after dropping a non-district game to Class 4 Blacksburg on the road Monday, 6-2. The Cavaliers outhit the Bruins, 6-5, and got a great game from Grace Thomas in the circle. Thomas was tagged with the loss despite striking out 10 and allowing only one earned run. Riley Shupe led the LB offense with two hits.
Last week the Cavaliers took on Franklin County in a home-and-home series and split two district games. The Eagles were 9-2 overall before LB rallied for a 10-4 win in Daleville last Tuesday.
Franklin opened an early 4-0 lead in this one but the Cavaliers chipped away, scoring two in the fourth, four in the fifth and four in the sixth inning to pick up a big win. LB had 10 hits as Autumn Russell went three-for-four and Thomas drew three walks. Grace pitched the first four innings and Bry Orange went the last three to pick up the win when LB rallied.
“I am so proud of the fight and energy the girls showed all night,” said LB coach Megan Cook. “It was so much fun to be a part of.”
On Friday the Cavaliers returned the trip to Rocky Mount and lost a heartbreaker, 6-5. Again the Eagles took the early lead, this time 6-0, and Botetourt came roaring back with a run in the fifth and four in the sixth. This time, however, they came up just short. Botetourt finished with eight hits, including two by Hadley Evans, and Thomas drove in two runs.
“It was a tough one to lose considering we just played them a few days prior,” said Cook. “As always, the girls impress me with their ability to not give up.”
