The Lord Botetourt baseball team was eliminated from post-season play in Bridgewater last week. The Cavaliers lost to Turner Ashby High, 6-2.

Botetourt hung tough against the Knights’ ace pitcher, Justin Showalter. The Cavaliers trailed just 4-2 after three and a half innings and had runners on base in each of the first four innings. However, they hit into double plays in both the first and second innings to kill rallies.

“He’s a good pitcher but we managed to put the ball in play,” said LB coach Todd Smith. “He settled down after the fourth inning and was lights out.”

Bryce Kelley and Jordan Brake had two hits each to lead the Cavaliers. Ethan Humbert and Patrick Kepler had one hit each as LB had six hits total.

Kepler started on the mound for Botetourt and took the loss. He had pitched the previous Friday in the Conference 31 semifinal, which allowed LB to make the regional, and Smith felt like that might have been a factor.

“He didn’t throw as well on short rest,” said Smith. “His control wasn’t as good as usual, and I’m thinking that was probably the reason.”

LB was down just 2-1 after two and a half innings, but Kepler walked the first three batters in the bottom of the third, leading to two more runs. Brake came on in the fifth and pitched the last two innings.

With the loss Botetourt finished the season at 13-8 overall. The Cavaliers won the Blue Ridge District regular season championship for the second year in a row and will graduate seven seniors.

“We had a good year,” said Smith. “Considering the pitching we needed to replace from last year, I thought we did well.”