James River gave Lord Botetourt a run for their money in an intra-county baseball game last week but the Cavaliers held on to win, 4-3, in Daleville.
Botetourt had beaten River 12-3 in a prior game in Springwood, and with ace Brae Farrell on the mound the Cavaliers were big favorites to win last week’s game in Daleville. However, no one told the visiting Knights.
“James River played well,” said LB coach Todd Smith. “We didn’t hit the ball well and they did everything right.”
LB jumped to an early lead, scoring three first inning runs, but Jonathan Meadows relieved Kevin Theimer on the mound after the first and pitched well in his varsity debut. Meadows pitched four and a third innings of two-hit ball allowing only one more run, a home run by LB’s Dylan Fralin.
River battled back to cut the lead to one run and had the potential tying run on base in the seventh. Theimer lined one up the middle but LB shortstop Connor Fuhrman made a great play to end the game and LB held on for the win.
Farrell got the win for the Cavaliers, pitching four and a third innings and striking out 10. Ramsey Vassar pitched the final two and two-thirds innings for a save.
LB played Northside on Monday and dropped a 9-8 decision, coming from 8-1 behind to almost win in a Blue Ridge District thriller in Daleville. The Cavs had two on and one out in the home seventh when Fralin sent a shot to deep center. Northside centerfielder Mason McNeece made a spectacular catch as the LB runners sprinted around the bases on a ball that seemed to be a sure hit. However, when McNeece made the catch he was able to double up the runner at second and end the game.
Meade Mayo was three-for-four for LB with a home run and three runs batted in. Farrell and Carson Peggins had two hits each as LB fell to 10-7 on the season.
The Cavs were scheduled to play at William Byrd on Tuesday and on Thursday William Fleming comes here to wrap up the regular season.
James River is now 2-11 after losing another close one Friday, 2-1, at home against Giles. Dyllan McAllister pitched six strong innings, allowing no earned runs, but was saddled with the loss.
The Knights were at Alleghany Tuesday, followed by two games with Radford. The Bobcats are here tonight, and after a day off River will return the trip to Radford on Friday.
