The Lions fought in their toughest battle on a beautiful Thursday night against the Patrick Henry Patriots. The matchup was previously scheduled for Wednesday night in Louisa, but was postponed due to inclement weather. The Lions traveled to Patrick Henry but took the advantage of home team.
Tristan Snyder got the call for Louisa to start the game, coming off of a strong outing against the Charlottesville Black Knights. He struggled in the first inning, throwing back-to-back walks, allowing three runs on two hits. Snyder struggled to meet the needs of the umpire, but only allowed two hits through four innings. The top of the inning ended on a groundout to the second baseman Austin Nicholas.
Louisa offense failed to cut the Patriots lead in the bottom of the first, sending four batters to the plate, and stranding a runner in scoring position. Patrick Henry scored another run in the top of the second on a sac fly from Terrance Oxendine. Snyder was then able to record 3 quick outs and hold the Patriots offence to one run in the second inning.
Jack McDonald led off the bottom of the second inning for the Lions, hitting a massive home run to centerfield to cut the Patriots lead. “Coach is always telling us to expect that first pitch fastball,” explained McDonald. “I saw it, jumped on it, and went from there.” Louisa offense did not score again until the bottom of the fourth inning.
Patrick Henry brought in their ace pitcher Noah Zook to pitch the fourth inning. Walks to Tyler Earley and Jack McDonald loaded the bases after a single from Tristan Snyder. Back-to-back walks to Blue Taylor and Caleb Turner allowed two runs to score for the Lions. Zook walked Garrett Duerson which brought in the tying run, but the inning was brought to a close after a strikeout.
Junior Owen Agee was brought in to pitch for Louisa in the top of the fifth inning. Agee earned the save for Louisa the previous game against North Stafford only allowing two hits. On Thursday night, Agee pitched three innings allowing no hits, no runs, and only two walks.
Louisa offense dominated the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring the game winning run. Nicholas walked to lead off the inning and was later brought in on an RBI from Lliam Grubbs.
Agee walked the first batter in the top of the seventh who was later caught stealing. Hunter Hart doubled to put a runner in scoring position and Noah Zook was walked to put two runners on. The game ended on a pop out to first baseman, Tyler Earley.
“We were trying to keep everyone up,” said McDonald. “We’re trying to keep the intensity up in the dugout.” The Lions won the game and improves to 4-0 on the season. Louisa is set to play a double header against Rappahannock on Tuesday at 1:00 and 5:00. Let’s go Lions!
