Austin Stadler pitched a brilliant complete game, 3 hits, 2 walks, 13 K's. Chris Briere had the big blow, a bases-clearing double in the third that broke a 1-1 tie. A.J. Prill drove in the other two runs for the Rapids.
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Congrats on a great season! With Austin and Daniel back next year, JR may be looking to go back to back
We also will have Jake Matthews, a talented lefty 2009, who will get a lot more innings the next two years. We were too deep to accommodate him this year.
But the fact is, these championships are won with deep senior classes. We had a bunch who came aboard when James River was a doormat and they will go through graduation Monday as champions. Because of them we were strong at every position, and 1-9 through the lineup. We will miss those guys terribly.
To be honest, I'm not sure we even win our district next year. Cosby is VERY deep in the 2008 and 2009 classes and they are a relentless team to play against. I also look for Freeman to step up behind Hudgins and Galbraith to win the Colonial and challenge for the region. So, it's fun to think about doing it again, but it's quite a mountain to climb and we're just trying to realize how fortunate we were to get to the top this one time.
But the fact is, these championships are won with deep senior classes. We had a bunch who came aboard when James River was a doormat and they will go through graduation Monday as champions. Because of them we were strong at every position, and 1-9 through the lineup. We will miss those guys terribly.
To be honest, I'm not sure we even win our district next year. Cosby is VERY deep in the 2008 and 2009 classes and they are a relentless team to play against. I also look for Freeman to step up behind Hudgins and Galbraith to win the Colonial and challenge for the region. So, it's fun to think about doing it again, but it's quite a mountain to climb and we're just trying to realize how fortunate we were to get to the top this one time.
I had forgotten that Jake was there as well. My son (also a 2009) has played against him many times. The 2008 and 2009 classes in the Richmond area are very deep with talented players...especially pitchers (I think you'll see that fact reflected in the next two drafts). Luckily, they are spread out enough among different high schools to give the rest of the state a chance. You're right though, just getting out of the Central Region will be a dogfight.
Congrats to James River,
The baseball Gods smiled on a bunch of Kids and a Coach who I'm sure deserved it.
The baseball Gods smiled on a bunch of Kids and a Coach who I'm sure deserved it.
Great Job! 
A season to be remembered for the rest of your lives.Good luck to the Seniors as they now open a new chapter in thier lives.
quote:Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
We also will have Jake Matthews, a talented lefty 2009, who will get a lot more innings the next two years. We were too deep to accommodate him this year.
But the fact is, these championships are won with deep senior classes. We had a bunch who came aboard when James River was a doormat and they will go through graduation Monday as champions. Because of them we were strong at every position, and 1-9 through the lineup. We will miss those guys terribly.
To be honest, I'm not sure we even win our district next year. Cosby is VERY deep in the 2008 and 2009 classes and they are a relentless team to play against. I also look for Freeman to step up behind Hudgins and Galbraith to win the Colonial and challenge for the region. So, it's fun to think about doing it again, but it's quite a mountain to climb and we're just trying to realize how fortunate we were to get to the top this one time.
What does the catching situation look like for next year? I know Gruhl is a senior, and you can't just put any catcher back there to handle a staff as talented as JR's. That is especially true considering the amount of responsibility the coach puts on the catcher, which I think is a good thing. I was just wondering what kind of talent is in the system behind Gruhl because I would imagine he was a big key to the quality of pitching JR displayed. I'm a former catcher, so of course I also think that's the most important position on the field.
First of all, you're 100% correct about the importance of Gruhl to our team. I thought it was interesting that he was listed as a "follow" on the PGCrosschecker VA draft report, but he was completely overlooked in the all-district (and thus, all-region) voting.
He didn't have the year offensively that he did his junior year, but he is still a solid threat, and behind the plate he was awesome. Nothing got by, threw out & picked off runners until they stopped running on us completely. Called the games brilliantly. I just can't say enough. I'm sorry he got passed over by the D-I's but Bridgewater will no doubt be happy they got him.
As for next year, it will be a competition but Jack Cleary is your best bet. Very strong arm and does know our pitchers very well. There aren't many in Gruhl's class so he's a tough act to follow, but Jack will grow into it I'd guess.
In the end, I think we're a good team next year but not as good as we were this year. You can't lose guys like Gruhl, Prill, Briere, Kent, Anderson and Nance -- all going on to college ball -- and think you're going to repeat. You have to like Cosby as the team to beat in 2008.
He didn't have the year offensively that he did his junior year, but he is still a solid threat, and behind the plate he was awesome. Nothing got by, threw out & picked off runners until they stopped running on us completely. Called the games brilliantly. I just can't say enough. I'm sorry he got passed over by the D-I's but Bridgewater will no doubt be happy they got him.
As for next year, it will be a competition but Jack Cleary is your best bet. Very strong arm and does know our pitchers very well. There aren't many in Gruhl's class so he's a tough act to follow, but Jack will grow into it I'd guess.
In the end, I think we're a good team next year but not as good as we were this year. You can't lose guys like Gruhl, Prill, Briere, Kent, Anderson and Nance -- all going on to college ball -- and think you're going to repeat. You have to like Cosby as the team to beat in 2008.
I must say I was very impressed by Cosby in their loss to Deep Run. Yeah, they got beat and it wasn't all that close, but Cosby wouldn't quit. They were aggressive, and played with an extraordinary amount of energy that was a ton of fun to watch. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see Shaban pitch, but he's obviously very good, and they can really swing the sticks. A little bit of depth on the mound and look out.....maybe they should just let that catcher throw BBs from the mound on his knees!
Jake Lowery was our former travel team's catcher. He just keeps getting stronger and stronger, he hits very well and for power, and he has rare leg speed for a catcher. He's going to end up at a big time D-I, I guarantee you.
Shaban is not overpowering but he is certainly a bulldog. The whole team has Coach Lowery's persona stamped all over them. The word I use is "relentless". Even in the games we beat them, they never quit, and the third time we played they jumped out front and then held on to win.
All that without any seniors? Next year, look out!
Shaban is not overpowering but he is certainly a bulldog. The whole team has Coach Lowery's persona stamped all over them. The word I use is "relentless". Even in the games we beat them, they never quit, and the third time we played they jumped out front and then held on to win.
All that without any seniors? Next year, look out!