Photos by Leigh Downey
The James River softball team will host the four-team “James River Bash” this Saturday at the Botetourt Sports Complex. The event will include four varsity teams and four jayvee teams.
Action begins at 10 a.m. with two varsity games. Salem will play Riverheads and James River will meet Craig County. The two winners will play at 2 p.m. for the championship and the first round losers will meet at the same time for third place.
At noon two jayvee games will be held, with Salem against Riverheads and James River against Jefferson Forest. The championship and consolation games for the jayvees will be held concurrently at 4 p.m.
The Knights got the season off to a good start last week as they squashed a seventh inning Patrick Henry rally to win their home opener, 3-2, last Wednesday evening in Springwood. Senior Ripley Barry won her first varsity pitching start, allowing only three hits. She struck out 10 batters while walking five and hitting three.
“Ripley continues to progress as a pitcher,” said River coach Steve Austin. “She has worked tirelessly to revive her pitching career solely for the good our high school team. Her dedication is a wonderful example for our young, inexperienced squad.”
Barry also led the Knight offense with a first inning solo home run to right field and a key RBI in the bottom of the sixth inning. Caitlyn Downey had a single, stolen base and a run scored, and Sydney Breeding also singled and scored a run.
Melissa Worrell threw a four-hitter for Patrick Henry, with eight strikeouts and no walks. She also had two of the Patriots’ three hits, including a double.
“This was a small, positive step on a very long journey,” said Austin. “We did some good things, but this evening highlighted the multiple areas of concern where we need to get serious about our work.”
River was scheduled to play at Northside Tuesday. Next week they’re off for spring break, returning April 2 with a game at Alleghany.
