The James River softball team is looking to snap a three-game losing streak today when they travel to Roanoke to take on Class 5 Patrick Henry. The Class 2 Knights started the season with two wins but have lost the past three, including a couple tough losses in the past week.
Last Thursday in Springwood the Knights played a wild one against Floyd County. The Knights had a 12-11 lead after five innings before giving up six late runs to Floyd for a 17-12 loss.
It was a typical early April day in Virginia with cool temperatures, high winds, intermittent sleet and rain squalls and even some sunshine. The wild Three Rivers District affair included 26 hits, 10 walks and four errors. Both teams scored multiple runs in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings as the lead changed back and forth.
Ripley Barry led James River with three hits, including the two home runs and five runs batted in. One of her homers was a grand slam.
“I think we kicked too many field goals,” said River coach Steve Austin. “We definitely needed another touchdown, as it were.”
On Monday the Knights hosted Class 3 Northside and dropped a 5-3 decision as Viking freshman Patelin Huddleston’s fifth inning two-run home run ended up being the difference.
Abbie Wilson had three hits for River, including a double, and knocked in three runs. Caitlyn Downey had an RBI and Keira Crawford scored twice.
Barry pitched a complete game five hitter for River, allowing only two earned runs while striking out five. She was hurt with three unearned runs in the first inning when River made four consecutive errors on balls that never left the infield.
“Ripley pitched her best game of the season,” said Austin. “She gave us a chance. If we continue to improve and eliminate some of our lapses, we’ll have some better outcomes.”
After today’s game at PH the Knights will host Patrick County for a Three Rivers District game next Monday.
