By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
It was clear from the start on April 30 that it was going to be a one-sided game. The Fluco freshman pitcher Lila Schwartz retired the Patriots in order in the top of the first, with two strikeouts and a routine ground-out. In the bottom of the first, the Flucos sent 15 batters to the plate. They scored nine runs and had the bases loaded before the Patriots managed to retire the side. The game was ended after only five innings on the mercy rule.
Schwartz continued to pitch well. She finished with a five-inning shutout, allowing only three hits, striking out six and walking none. A very impressive performance by a freshman. She demonstrated speed and a nice change-up. She also batted third and was three for three with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI. Junior shortstop Jillian Davis led off the game with a triple and scored three times, twice in the first inning. With the game safely in hand, freshman Alyssa Lewis had the fourth at bat in the leadoff spot and she singled and scored in the fourth inning. So, the Flucos scored four runs in four at-bats from the lead-off spot in the batting order. Batting in the second spot, senior second baseman Madeline Schmidt had two hits, three runs scored and two RBI. Center fielder Amirah Bielke had a double and three runs scored. Bielke is a junior. The Flucos scored 16runs on 14 hits in only four at bats. They were aided by five walks, two hit batters and several infield errors. The Flucos, on the other hand, had no errors.
After the game, Coach Aime McCall commented that her team had done a good job on offence and defense. She was pleased with Schwartz’s performance on the mound, emphasizing that she is only a freshman. Despite this easy win, McCall emphasized that the Flucos play in a very tough Jefferson District Conference. Her team is now 7-8, after another win on May 2, and has an outside chance of making the post-season.
On May 2, the Flucos traveled to Western Albemarle where they scored six runs in the first and held on for a 7-6 win. On May 4, they hosted Broadway High. On May 7, they hosted Orange County. On May 9, they travel to Louisa County. On May 14 they will be at Goochland County. Their final regular season game will be at home against Monticello High, on May 16. The post season situation probably will not be decided until the final regular season games are played. In the post-season high schools are matched against schools of comparable size. The Flucos are a Class 3 school out of six classes (i.e. a smaller of the mid-sized schools). Many of the Jefferson District schools are larger and are Class 4 and 5. Therefore, to determine whether the Flucos make the post-season the Flucos are compared with a couple other Jefferson District schools and schools from the nearby Shenandoah Valley.
