By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
After the Fluco baseball team’s home game against Monticello High on April11, Fluco baseball Coach Joel Gray commented, “J. J. didn’t have his best stuff tonight.” He was awesome, so his best stuff must be off the charts. In a 1-0 win over the Mustangs, Glasscock recorded 16 strikeouts in a seven inning game. He walked two and two batters reached base on infield errors. Exactly one ball was hit out of the infield by the Mustangs. In the third inning, there were two on due to a walk and a strikeout on a wild pitch that allowed the batter to reach base. A routine fly to left field was handled with ease by freshman Sam Loving for the last out of the inning. In addition to his strikeouts, Glasscock threw out four batters at first base on soft taps back to the mound.
This was not a game for most baseball spectators, unless you love to see fine pitching and don’t care if the batters are virtually helpless. Most baseball fans would really like to see more action. The Monticello pitcher gave Glasscock a run for his money. He recorded twelve strikeouts. While Glasscock was showing a blazing fastball and a hard to hit breaking ball that have made him a future Division 1 pitcher, the Mustangs hurler was changing speeds and nipping corners. (Glasscock has committed to play in Morgantown next year for West Virginia University.)
The Flucos managed only three hits. They scored the game’s only run in the fourth. Senior designated hitter Joe Gomez, batting in the third spot, worked a walk, with one out. He stole second base and sophomore third baseman Cam Via flew out to left field. Sophomore first baseman Caden Harris came to the plate. With the count at 2 and 2, the Mustang pitcher thought he had an inning ending strikeout, but the umpire didn’t agree, and the count went to 3 and 2. On the following pitch, the lefty hitting Harris turned on the ball and ripped it down the first base line for a run scoring triple, the only extra base hit of the game.
After the game, Gray described why he felt that Glasscock didn’t have his best stuff. This was his second no-hitter of the season and in his earlier jewel he faced only one batter over the minimum, allowing just one walk.
The Fluco boys team plays frequently at this time of year. On April 13 and 14 they traveled to Orange County and hosted Liberty Christian. On April 18, they hosted Western Albemarle. On April 20, they will play at Charlottesville High and on April 25, they will host Albemarle High. The regular season does not end until May 16.
