By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
It was a battle for first place in the Jefferson District. Unfortunately, the Flucos were twelve up and twelve down in the first four innings when they hosted the Western Albemarle Warriors on May 8. The Fluco did have a solid hit in the first, but a successful pick-off ended the first inning after three batters. Meanwhile, the Warriors were able to put up a single run in the top of the second and a single run in the top of the fourth, even though Fluco righthander Cam Via was pitching a solid game.
The bottom of the fifth inning is a good time to stage a rally in a seven inning game. Via, the Flucos’ clean-up hitter, started off the fifth by working a walk. Senior Jackson Fields then lofted a long drive to left that the Warrior outfielder couldn’t reach. It fell in for a double, the only extra base hit of the game. The Fluco courtesy runner for Via had to hold up to be sure the drive was not caught, so the result was runners at second and third with no outs. Coach Joel Gray then called a play that he reports has been quite successful for the Flucos this season. Senior outfielder Jayden Hoy laid down an excellent safety squeeze bunt. It brought in the Flucos’ first run and Hoy beat the throw to first for a bunt single. Hoy promptly stole second base, for runners at second and third again. Gray reports that this is his fastest team ever and that they are approaching one hundred steals for the year.
Now, Gray called for another bunt and this time the Warriors were ready. Their first baseman scooped up the bunt by junior Kyle Harris and it looked like Fields would be dead at the plate, but the first baseman lost the ball taking it from his mitt and Fields scored the tying run. After two strike-outs, sophomore second baseman Brody Shields, the Flucos’ leadoff batter, rifled a solid single to right to bring in the go ahead run. The Flucos added a run in the bottom of the sixth without a hit. Fields was hit by a pitch, Hoy walked, they executed a double steal and Kyle Harris again bunted home a run. Via pitched the win with six strong innings on the mound.
In the top of the seventh, the Warriors opened with a solid single. Shields then made the defensive play of the game with sliding catch of a pop fly in foul territory behind first base. Another pop up to Shields and a long fly to center ended the game.
Gray’s squad has now won seven in a row and even though he commented after the game that his squad has won ugly a few times this year, seven in a row in Jefferson District play is impressive.
On May 12, the Flucos traveled to Powatan and the next day they played at Orange County. They will be home for Senior Day on May 15, hosting Louisa County. The final two games of the regular season are May 20 at Goochland and May 22 at home against Monticello High.
