Coach Kevin Fisher felt fortunate that his starting pitcher, Josh Seay was able to finish the job and earn the complete game win — he certainly earned it. But mistakes in the field during the fifth and seventh innings made him have to work a lot harder. Still, with Louisa County’s offense getting the job done early with four different batters driving in a run, the Lions were able to avoid a late inning slide and pick up a 5-1 win on the road over Western Albemarle to launch themselves back into the thick of the Jefferson District standings.
“We’re playing better lately, although tonight our defense wasn’t as good as its been the last few games,” Fisher said. “Tonight we swung the bats better than usual though, so it kind of evened out. That’s good, we continue to get better and that’s the goal — be better than you were at the start of the season.”
Louisa took an early 2-0 lead by scoring in the top of the first and second innings. Robert Terrell drove in Christian on a single to start. Then Jacob Conley reached base on an error and was able to steal second to put himself in scoring position. Johnny Lowery came through two batters later with an RBI single.
Conversely, Seay struck out five of the first nine batters he faced. Western threatened in the second inning with back-to-back singles from Caleb Dillard and Mitchell Parks with just one out. But Seay struck out the next two batters to get out the first of three jams he faced.
Louisa picked up some much needed insurance in the top of the fifth inning, capitalizing on a pair of walks. With runners on first and second and two outs, Conley stroked an RBI single to make it 3-0. Conley then stole second base to set up Jarrett Talley’s 2-run single.
Western had it’s best big scoring chance in the bottom half of that inning. With one out, an error and a fielder’s choice, they were able to load the bases on a Parker Morris single followed by another error. However, once again Seay escaped unharmed, fielding a grounder himself to end the inning.
The Warriors finally broke up Seay’s shutout in the seventh after Eli Sumpter led the inning off with a single. An error, fielder’s choice and wild pitch later, Western put runners on third and second allowing Jack Maynard to drive in the lone Warrior run on a sacrifice fly.
“The guy was one out away from showing a complete game shutout with five errors behind him,” Fisher said. “That’s a pretty incredible game for Josh.”
Seay finished the game with his eighth strikeout of the night. And as far as having to earn extra outs because of a few mistakes, the junior had faith in teammates rebounding.
“I was just trying to find ways to make pitches and get out of the situations,” Seay said. “I knew my defense would make plays eventually, and it’s tough, nobody can be perfect. I kept throwing low and hoping for ground balls and they wound up coming through for me.”
For Louisa, Lowery was 2 for 3 and the only player with multiple hits. Conley, Buckler and Seay were all 1 for 4. Dylan Wratchford was 0-1, but drew three walks, scored a run and stole two bases.
Parks was the only Western player with more than one hit. The senior went 3 for 3 with a double. Sumpter and Dillard were 1 for 3. Morris was 1 for 2.
Louisa (6-7, 3-6) travels to Orange County on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Western (3-10, 3-6) travels to Charlottesville on Friday at 7 p.m.
