Dominion District Games May 15

Cosby eliminated Clover Hill from playoff contention, as Ronnie Shaban pitched a complete game for the 6-2 victory. Midlothian likewise knocked out Monacan, as Tyler Wilson threw a 5-inning 4-hitter, while Blaine Jones and Troy Dickman hit HR's.

The standings, with one game remaining, are as follows:

1. James River 15-0
2 Cosby 11-3-1
3. Midlothian 11-4
4. Manchester 9-5-1
5. Clover Hill 7-8
5. Monacan 7-8
7. L.C. Bird 5-10
8. Huguenot 2-13
9. Wythe 0-16

The exact order of finish among the 2-3-4 teams is still to be determined, pending Thursday's games, but at this juncture it's shaping up as James River v. Manchester and Cosby v. Midlothian for the first round of the playoffs.

Why is James River so good this year? What are there stengths - do they have any weaknesses?

They have a few decent arms.....just kidding, they're pitching is exceptional. Great depth, to the point where they're one of the few teams to have a really good pitcher who they were using (at least earlier in the season) as a closer. Plus they have a really strong catcher to handle those good arms which I personally think is extremely important. I don't remember much about them defensively, but they can also swing the sticks pretty well. And, to make matters worse for their opponents, several of their better players (including their top two pitchers I believe) are juniors.

Here are a few of JR's strengths:

1. No freshmen or sophomores on the roster. 10 seniors, 3 of whom are 4-year starters, lead a very experienced team. 3 seniors are included in PG's 2007 rankings of the top 2,000 in the class of 2007.

2. Baseball America's rankings of US junior prospects list only three high schools with 2 players ranked in the top 50. James River has the highest ranked pair.

3. Team attitude has been wonderful all year, a credit to the new head coach. (Not a bad first season at the helm, eh?)

4. We have indeed caught a few breaks. Baseball being baseball, you don't go undefeated without a decent sprinkling of luck.

Hopefully our luck will hold out through the playoffs, but as Madison found out last year, it only takes one "off" game to put an end to high hopes. We're happy to be where we are, but we know all too well that one great game by the opposing pitcher could put an end to our season come playoff time. I think the players are fine, but we parents are getting to nail biting time!

JR's luck ran out this afternoon in the regular season finale. See the new thread on the May 17 games. Just goes to show, in baseball you never know!