A night for senior celebration continued after the Lions pulled off an 8-0 shutout win against the Charlottesville Black Knights. After a hard 8-4 loss against the Black Knights two months ago, the Lions were looking to learn from that game and come back stronger. Garrett Duerson got the call for the Lions while Tyler Williams took the mound for Charlottesville.
The Black Knights recorded two baserunners in the top of the first inning on a double and a walk, but Duerson was able to record three outs to end the rally. The Lions were able to record a baserunner in the bottom of the first, but the runner was stranded and the game remained at 0-0. Charlottesville loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second, but Duerson was able to fire back with a strikeout and a lineout to end the inning.
After a leadoff error and single, Jack McDonald drove an RBI double to left field giving the Lions a 2-0 lead. Sophomore, Josh Cutright followed with a triple to give the Lions a 4-0 lead in the second inning. “You’ve got to come out there for the seniors,” said Cutright. “It’s a night for them.” J.B. Lamb recorded a double of his own but was stranded in scoring position. The Lions added another run in the bottom of the third after back-to-back errors from Charlottesville’s offense.
Duerson allowed a walk in the top of the fourth but followed with a strikeout and an inning-ending double play to continue the shutout. Lamb drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the fourth but Williams was able to hold the Lions to a 5-0 lead.
The Lions’ offense scored three more runs in the bottom of the sixth on three singles, an error, and two fielder’s choice giving them an 8-0 lead over the Black Knights. Duerson finished his night with two outs in the top of the seventh. Caleb Reeves finished the game with a one-pitch groundout to secure the win for the Lions.
Zion Villines, Cutright, and McDonald all finished the night with two RBIs while Travis Pleasants collected two hits of his own. The Lions are set to face Fluvanna County on Thursday for a JV/Varsity doubleheader. “You always know Fluvanna is going to come out and play,” said Cutright. “We have to come out and do the same.” Let’s Go Lions!
