This will be a challenge for the Cavaliers as they prepare for the post-season, as Staunton River is undefeated in the Blue Ridge District and the top seed for this weekend’s four-team district tournament. The top two seeds will host the third and fourth on Friday, with the championship game at Franklin County on Saturday.
LB and Northside were battling for second place coming into the week and will play each other on Friday in the district semifinals. Whoever finishes second will be the host team.
Last week the Cavaliers split two games against district teams, beginning with a 4-3 loss to Franklin County on May 10. Gianna Sloan-Lebron had three hits for Botetourt, including a two-run homer.
“We struggled with small errors in the field and inconsistency with obtaining baserunners and quality at bats,” said coach Megan Dehart. “We failed to play to our true potential and the girls let their emotions dictate their performance. We beat ourselves this game and that is very disheartening this late in the season.”
A day later the Cavs took out their frustrations in a 16-1 win over Hidden Valley in Daleville. Lord Botetourt put nine runs on the board in the second inning and sophomore Grace Thomas went the distance on the mound. LB had 23 hits in five innings, including multiple hits each by Mikayla Reed, Jackson Kemper, Makena Shupe, Maddie Carroll, Thomas, Autumn Russell and Sloan-Lebron. Reed led the team with four hits in five at bats.
That win gave LB a 14-4 overall record.