Photo by Brian Hoffman
The James River baseball team rallied in the bottom of the seventh but came up just short in a 5-3 loss to Glenvar in Springwood last week. The Knights had the potential tying and winning runs on base when the Highlanders slipped out of the jam and escaped with a hard-fought win.
“This was a fairly well-played game,” said River coach Chance Henry. “We were able to move the ball around a lot on offense with small ball, which worked well for us again. Defensively, we got some key outs via pick offs and executed well on that front. We held a lead late but gave it away.”
River led 2-1 after five innings but the Highlanders plated three in the sixth and one in the seventh to go up 5-2. River showed heart with a rally in the bottom of the seventh but could only get one run across.
Knight pitchers Kody Park, Zeal Hammons and Hunter Mays allowed just four hits but combined to walk 11 Highlanders, and that was the difference.
“At the end of the day we have to throw strikes, strikes are key,” said Henry. “Having to hit is hard, most kids are going to take a walk simply because it’s easy, so we have to have the ability to pound the zone. Eleven walks in a seven-inning game is way too high and something we couldn’t overcome.”
River outhit Glenvar, 9-4. Mays had three hits and Evan Byers had two to lead the Knights. Park drew three walks, the only free passes Glenvar allowed in the game.
With the loss the Knights fell to 1-15 on the season and they were scheduled to host Radford Tuesday. On Friday River is at Patrick County and next week they wrap up the regular season with a game at Glenvar Monday and at Radford on Thursday, May 16.
