On Monday, River used a combination of four hits, four walks, three Glenvar errors and several wild pitches or passed balls to piece together a 7-3 victory over the Highlanders in Springwood. Glenvar got five solid innings out of starting pitcher Sophie McCulley, who allowed only three hits while striking out six, walking four, and hitting one batter. She gave up four runs, only one of which was earned.
Trailing 4-2 after five innings, Glenvar cut the deficit to one run in the top of the sixth on a solo home run by Savana Luper.
Luper then came in to pitch in relief in the bottom of the sixth and gave up a lead off single to Ripley Barry and a walk to Abby Wilson. Marley Huddleston then put down a crucial sacrifice bunt and reached on an errant throw. One run later scored on a passed ball and ground outs to the right side by Elly Lackey and Lexi McCullough produced two key RBIs.
Austyn Moran pitched a complete game six hitter for the Knights, allowing two earned runs while striking out 11 batters and walking two.
Karley Eubank reached base all three times for James River with a single and two walks, Barry had a single and was hit by a pitch. Kaycee Kincaid had an infield hit, a walk and an RBI, and Cloey Joynes had a single and an RBI.
“We got another competitive effort from Austyn Moran on the mound and we played solid defense,” said coach Steve Austin. “We did just enough offensively and we took advantage of some mistakes. I guess you could call this an ugly win but after a grueling couple of close losses we will take a win anyway we can get it.”
The Knights, who have been hit by injuries of late, dropped a 4-1 game to Alleghany last Thursday in Springwood. River had five errors and just two hits in the loss.
“Our margin of error has been thin all year long but it is especially thin now,” said Austin. “Despite our hitting woes we were in a great position when we melted down in the top of the fifth inning on. It just happens sometimes in softball.”
