James River over Godwin 8-6

Parnell started and brought his funky lefty stuff. A routine fly to CF got into the sun and got muffed, leading to 2 Godwin runs in the first. Scored a hit, would've been an E in my book. Earned but preventable runs at the least.

JR got one back in the 2nd, I think it was on a Jack Roberts RBI hit. But 2 walks keyed a Godwin 2-run inning. Godwin up 4-1 and with Carson Stephens showing command of 4 pitches (fastball, change, slider and curve) for a minute there I thought we were going to watch a slow burn until Godwin put a fork in them.

With 2-on, no outs in the third and it now 4-2, JR went to Carrico, who's had precious few opportunities this year up until this point. Well, he took advantage tonight. A hit let one inherited runner score to make it 5-2 in the third. Two walks in the 4th plus an infield hit (that again I would've ruled an E) led to another run, 6-2.

From there, Carrico settled in and snuffed Godwin. His slider just dominated. I didn't count but would guess around 7 K's. Having not done a long outing all year, he looked to me like he might be flagging in the 6th, got to a 3-0 count before getting a guy and walking another guy, but got the K's to escape.

Meanwhile, Stephens hit the wall in the 5th and then Reed McGee came in. I don't really remember anyone pounding the ball but there were singles, there were walks, there was a hit batter, and suddenly it was 6-5. Nick Guyer had a pinch hit RBI single and Garrett Bardenheier had a key RBI hit for the second straight game.

In JR's 6th it was more of the same. Lees was brought in, which made me cringe. He definitely showed he's a gamer but there was just no zip on his fastball, there was at least one walk, and then Godwin turned a DP ball into no outs when the 2B's throw pulled the SS off the bag at second. Three more runs there made it 8-6.

And from there, Carrico put it to bed. Godwin brought in a kid (# 20) who was not in the program, leading me to believe he might've been a JV callup. The kid showed no nerves at all and flashed a plus breaker of his own, getting 2 K's and another easy out to keep it close. But in the bottom of the 7th, it was a quick 1-2-3 on 2 routine flies and a grounder.

It was the kind of game we expected, 8-6, lots of walks involved. In the end Carrico got the job done out of the bullpen where Godwin's guys could not.

Truthfully it was not a very exciting game. It seemed like both sides were maybe coming down off the high of their states-qualifying wins the day before. The pace of the game was very slow. Both sides used their benches liberally, and to the kids' credit, a lot of the subs contributed quite nicely. Both teams will likely profit from that next week.

I just hope Lees' next outing doesn't suffer from having what should have been his rest & recovery period disrupted like it was. After the E prolonged his finishing of the 6th inning, I'm at least glad he wasn't back out for the 7th.

VirginiaPreps.com reports that Godwin's # 20 was JV callup Aaron McGarrity. Kudos to him on the poise and capabilities he showed when put on the spot.

getting Carrico those inning and Parnell could pay big dividends at some point next week! With three soild guys and a couple that can bridge any gaps JR is in a great position to compete.

I know McGarity well. I wish they had gone to him earlier. Not surprised he did well. He simply does not get rattled. Great perspective on the game, great outlook on life. He's going to be excellent over the next two years.

Any word on when / where JR's state Q-F will take place? Last time around, James River took some heat because they don't have lights (like most Chesterfield schools). I'm guessing the game will still be played at JR nonetheless, but I hope there's an early start time. 2:00 is probably wishful thinking, but maybe 3:00.

JR is in the midst of building a locker room/concession stand/restroom building behind home plate. The ground there is all torn up and the stands behind home plate are gone. I don't know if VHSL will allow them to play there at all.

thats true. maybe they had mnade progress but a few weeks ago it was pretty torn up. where would they move it to?

Game will be held at James River on Tuesday, 6/7, at 3:30. From what I understand, bleachers will be moved from other fields, accommodations for announcing, etc. will be done. Construction is still moving along, but I think the construction crew will clean it up a bit. If I find out differently, I will post back.

3:30? Why so early?

BTW, Battlefield downed Halifax, 8-2, so Halifax will come to play James River.

Godwin gets Battlefield up there in Haymarket.

guess they want to leave plenty of time before dark? 3:30 gives then 4.5 hours. if they started later could end up withj a rain delay and extra innings. May also help get the kids traveling from up north home earlier.
I think james rivers graduation is next saturday...the day of the state championship game!

A dad with a senior player told me that if JR makes it to Friday, the seniors will miss manditory graduation practice and won't be able to walk on Saturday.

Graduation or State Championship game? No question which I would rather attend (even if I had a senior).

I find it hard to believe the school won't accommodate seniors playing for a state title. I'm guessing a stink will be made, and the situation will be resolved.

My guess for the 3:30 start is because of what happened the last time JR hosted a state playoff game, with a lightning delay, and PH finding out on the bus ride home that they had actually lost, rather than the game being completed.

From a selfish standpoint, a 3:30 start time ups the chances I'll be able to attend and cover the game. 2:30 or 3:00 would have been even better, but that was always a pipe dream.

last year a local team was in the State Semi Finals which were at Westfield. The game was on the day of their graduation....after the game they all jumped on 95 and busted it to the Siegal Center making it just in time. The Siegal Center was kind enough to give tjem access to the lockeroom facilities there so they could change.
had they won that game they would jhave had to returned
to NOVA to play the following day for the finals

If I remember correctly, the order of the semi-final games was switched (or was going to be switched if Matoaca had advanced) to accomodate the graduations of two teams involved in the playoffs.

Matoaca lost in quarter finals ..Cosby went to semi final against Woodbridge on their graduation day. West Springfield played Western Branch in the other semi...i think.
Matoaca was Central Runner up so they
traveled somewhere for the quarter final so maybe that was their graduation day?

Confirmed with Matoaca parent. The deal was that VHSL had agreed that if Matoaca advanced to the semi-finals, game times would be moved to accomodate Matoaca's graduation time. And I think that Western Branch's time for the semi-finals was changed from that originally set forth due to a team's graduation time.

Word from James River is that they will be able to play Tuesday on their home field.

Don't ask me why, but the starting time being circulated is 3:00 p.m.

I don't know why it's so darned early. Maybe that graduation practice thing has something to do with it.

Knowing JR's principal, I seriously doubt that those seniors will miss the graduation ceremony unless the game and the ceremony are at the very same time.

But such things can wait until Tuesday night. If they don't win they won't have to worry about such things. They'd better not let themselves get caught looking past Tuesday's opponent.

midlo...what tine should they play at?

I would've expected a standard 4:00 or 4:30 start. Something that allows them to have a normal school day, allows Halifax to drive up, and allows fans to get there without taking the whole afternoon off work.

I don't know, maybe I'm just PO'ed because I have to be up in NoVa that day and might not be back by 3 p.m. Ironically had they lost I would've been close enough to make it to Battlefield without any difficulty.

maybe you can stay up there and scout the battlefield/godwin game?
i guess they are so early since they have no lights and are worried a combination of weather and darkness could create a huge problem.
earlier start may also get the visiting team back up north sooner?
what kind of team does Halifax have? Any players to watch?

No idea, but if they head back north they'll be a long way from home. Halifax is around South Boston, southwest of you down 360.

Gives you an idea of the sheer size of the NW region when the two state qualifiers are from just outside Manassas on the one hand, and almost to NC on the other!

Getting word that game time is at 3pm on Tuesday, also.