The Lord Botetourt baseball team fell to top-seeded Abingdon in the first round of the Region 3D tournament. The host Falcons shut out the Cavaliers, 8-0.
Walks hurt the Cavs, who outhit Abingdon 6-5. However, three LB pitchers combined to walk 10 batters. Starter Garrett Lonker allowed just one hit over three innings but walked six and gave up four earned runs. Swisher Cook and Brady Kish finished up.
The loss ended the season at 11-12 for LB, the first losing season in 10 years. That didn’t sit well with coach Todd Smith.
“I’m disappointed in our season and in myself,” said Smith. “We started three freshmen, but that’s no excuse. We’re used to being better than this. It’s not what we do.”
LB will lose just two seniors, Lonker and Kish.
“We’re only losing two, but they’re two good ones,” said Smith. “Our jayvee team was 12-8 and we’re looking to be better next year.”
