Season Opener: James River at Godwin

Awesome to see Kit Scheetz get a chance to show what he is made of!

Great kid. Great example of how getting outs trumps velocity! True "pitcher".

Congrats to Kit and JR for an excellent start to the season. It couldn't happen to a nicer kid and family.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/...ning-day--ar-905837/

Nice article in the RTD, though they got the name wrong for the second HR. Roberts had an RBI single, it was Trentham with the 2nd HR. Taylor Jascewski almost hit a third one but his fly was caught at the track. Believe it or not, his metal bat went "splat" on that contact, or it would've been three gopher balls in the first inning.

As for Scheetz, don't chalk him up as a soft stuff guy just yet. He hit 85 several times yesterday and for a lefty that is just fine. I didn't see any fastballs under 81, and I think the 81's were cutters or turned over.

Remember also this is a kid who didn't get to pitch at all last year due to a knee injury, and plus, it's still early and a bit on the chilly side. We may well see more MPH out of the boy by summer time. (Did I mention he plays for the Virginia Cardinals? )

But it's the curve ball that's going to take him places. Not many spin it better, esp. from the left side. Godwin couldn't hit it even when they had to know it was coming.

In the Manchester game, I believe you'll see Roberts start. Carrico may close, since Parnell closed yesterday.

Kirby has a sprained ankle that's almost good to go, but given the team's depth in pitching, no one wants to push their luck by trying to bring him back too soon. I mean, as good as he is, it would've been hard to top a 2-hit shutout of the # 2 team in the region.

I expected JR to win that game. I didn't expect 17 runs. Wow.

It does appear that my questions about JR's maturity and defense have been answered. Looks like they're armed for bear this year. Just need to keep their heads on straight, I guess.

They have certainly lived up to their #1 ranking. I saw them last year and figured they were a year away from doing some damage. They will be tough to beat this year....

It's amazing that you can be without your # 1, or maybe I should say your "co-# 1" pitcher, and still go up against 2 strong opponents and allow only 4 hits in 2 games (12 defensive innings, one game shortened by slaughter rule).

And only 2 of those 12 innings were pitched by a senior. All those other arms are here for this year AND next. Roberts in fact is only a sophomore!

Having Casey Jones move back to town -- already an Elon commit before he moved into the school's territory -- really answers the big question mark for the team. Here you have a senior guy with leadership capability to bat leadoff, hit with power and provide a premium SS defender. Who wouldn't benefit from having that suddenly show up at your school?

Again, with teenagers anything can happen, and you always need to guard against swelled head syndrome, but this could be a powerhouse team this year. I would have to think they'll be joining Western Branch in the national polls before too long.

Plus the Coach has walked this path before. I'd be shocked if they don't win region. Some teams will give them just enough problems for them to refocus and then they'll roll, IMO.

what is the real story? Was James River that good or is the story that Manchester that bad?
Manchester lost the farm after last year and is pretty thin this year

I believe Florence started on mound for Lancers. He's a D-1 signee. Pretty impressive. I expected a JR win but nothing like that.

I think there's a pretty big gap this year between James River and Cosby at the top and the remaining teams, any of whom could do well enough to finish 3d or poorly enough to finish last.

Though if I had to bet money, I would say Monacan is bringing up the rear in a year when neither of the city schools is fielding a team. Probably Clover Hill neck and neck with them. Manchester, Midlothian and Bird in the middle.