Carroll County jetted out to a 13-1 start by combining excellent pitching, near flawless defense and timely hitting to get by nearly every opponent.
The ability to avoid giving up a big inning to anyone ended when James River plated eight runs in the bottom of the fifth inning Tuesday night in Buchanan. The Knights pushed Carroll County to the brink of being run ruled for the first time in the four years that Emma Leath has pitched for Coach Rick Nester. James River led 11-2 at the end of the breakout frame and if there was a bright spot to the outcome it was the fact that CCHS rebounded long enough to have the game go the distance.
Leath entered the game still under the weather after being ill over the weekend but was able to add nine strikeouts to her total. The score of the game was 3-2 heading into the dreaded bottom of the fifth inning.
In the rally, the Knights sent 12 batters to the plate and for the first time this season the defense was not able to get the job done behind their pitcher. Three of the season-high six errors occurred during the fatal stretch.
The rally started with a bunt single that Leath came ever so close to fielding in the air. Next up was Ripley Barry and the Wagner signee lined a 0-2 pitch just over the fence in left center field to make the score 5-2.
The uprising should have ended there but 10 more batters made it to the plate before Leath ended the frame with her eighth of nine strikeouts. Barry singled in her second at bat of the inning and would have been the close-out run if she had scored.
CCHS was trailing 3-1 in the top of the fifth inning when they had their most successful run at a breakthrough inning. Brooke Webb led off with a line drive single before Holly Miller hit into a fielder’s choice, replacing Webb on the bases. Laynie-Jo Leonard followed with her first varsity base hit after recently being called up to join the big team. Addie Greene followed with her second consecutive RBI single and quickly swiped second base to put the tying and lead runs in scoring position.
Leath followed with a laser to centerfold but Barry got a great jump on the ball, catching the drive and then firing a strike to home plate to keep Leonard on third base. Isabella Norman followed Leath to the plate but was retired to keep the score at 3-2.
Barry was a playmaker with both her bat (3-4, 3 RBI, one run) and her glove. Greene would have finished with three hits instead of two if not for a catch by Barry on her knees. The sinking line shot hung up just long enough for a great catch to be made.
Emma Harman lead off the second inning with a shot to left field but that one was also gloved on a nice play.
Miller was the only Cavalier to cross home plate as the sophomore was on the receiving end of Greene’s RBIs. Laiken Burnett joined Greene in the two-hit club while three others joined Leonard with one hit.
Barry led the Knights offense with three hits while leadoff hitter Sydney Breeding went 2-for-4 with three runs scored.
One half inning that the team had successfully avoided all season was too much for the Lady Cavaliers to overcome. The upside of the long night is that Carroll County returns home to play their final five games at Cavalier Park, beginning with Floyd County coming to The Hill this Friday. The team will celebrate Senior Night and retiring Athletic Director Darrin Mathews will be tossing out the Ceremonial First Pitch.
James River High School edged the JV team 11-10.
Carroll Co. 001 010 0 - 2 8 6
James R. 102 080 x - 11 11 1
Leath and Burress (CC); Saville and Joynes (JR). WP - Saville. LP - Leath. 2B - Barry (JR). HR - Barry (JR).
Most Popular
Comments / 0