Every time it seems like you may be able to count out Albemarle baseball — like during a five-game district losing streak that ran through Tuesday of this week — the Patriots find a way to get back in the mix.
Albemarle ended that losing skid with a win over Orange Wednesday and then picked up a huge victory Friday night on the road to make it two-in-a-row. They beat Fluvanna County 3-1 Friday on the strength of a complete game effort by Aiden McClune.
Albemarle had to rally with three runs in the sixth and seventh to climb out of a 1-0 hole and get the victory.
McClune struck out six and allowed just three hits and three walks in the win. McClune managed to keep the top of Fluvanna’s order largely in check, with John Rittenhouse providing the Flucos’ lone RBI to score Shaun Holyfield. Albemarle countered offensively with Ryan Porter going 2-for-3 with a run scored while Jake Browning and Connor Moriarty each knocked in runs. Porter had a double while Andrew Porter posted a triple. Albemarle actually left eight on base so they could’ve given McClune even more of an advantage to work with.
Still, it was enough offense and gave the Patriots enough to overcome Fluvanna who got a solid pitching performance from Toby Sherman, who threw five shutout innings and struck out two while scattering five hits.
The Patriots will travel to Charlottesville Monday while the Flucos host Waynesboro the same night.
