On a rainy and chilly Tuesday night the Lions were back in action at North Stafford High School. The Lions came into the game undefeated, previously beating the Wolverines 6-2 in the first game of the season. Grubbs would get the start for Louisa on Tuesday, hoping to continue his dominate season.
The rain held off just enough for Austin Nicholas to lead off the top of the first for Louisa, drawing a walk and a stolen base. Grubbs later walked and Nicholas scored on a passed ball to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
With one out in the bottom of the first, Mars Hill College commit Grayson Sims drew a walk to give the Wolverines their first baserunner. Grubbs served a hit to Cody Carter which advanced Sims to third. Grubbs battled back and got two quick outs to end the scoreless inning.
Louisa offense dominated the top of the second inning. Tyler Earley and Blue Taylor both reached on errors which put runners on third and first. After Caleb Turner was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded for Nicholas, who drew a walk and later got out at second base. Back-to-back-to-back hits by Garrett Duerson, Lliam Grubbs, and Nate King allowed five runs to score, giving Louisa a 6-0 lead.
Grubbs pitching continued to impress in the bottom of the second and third innings striking out four batters. Two baserunners were allowed after an error and a hit by pitch, but Wolverine offense still failed to score a run. Louisa offense struggled in the top of the third and fourth inning with two strikeouts and three groundouts.
Grubbs finished his night in the bottom of the fourth with nine strikeouts and only one hit allowed. “With the weather being like it was,” explained Grubbs, “being able to stay focused, stay calm, and throw strikes, that’s the best I could do.”
Wolverine relief pitcher Kavaugh McGee started the top of the fifth inning with back-to-back walks to Nate King and Jack McDonald. Owen Ledford came in to relieve McGee and Wolverine defense allowed two base runners on errors.
Nicholas came in to pitch for Louisa in the bottom of the fifth inning, allowing five runs on six walks, two hit batters, and one hit through 2.2 innings.
Wolverine pitching struggled in the top of the seventh, drawing four walks and one hit. Louisa improved their lead 9-6 and would bring in junior Owen Agee to finish the game.
Agee allowed three hits and one run in the bottom of the seventh, but secured the save on a strikeout looking.
The precipitation and cold weather did not help either team, especially pitchers. “I couldn’t really command my offspeed,” said Grubbs. “I just had to hit my spots with my fastball.”
Louisa improves to 3-0 on the season and will face Patrick Henry on Wednesday night at 6:30. “Same mentality as today and enthusiasm,” explained Grubbs. “We are gonna come out and do the same thing we did today.”
