Statesmen Take Two in Opening Week

CHARLOTTE C.H. – Opening day was one of the most frigid opening days Statesmen Baseball has seen in sometime, with temperatures going as low as 35 degrees and wind gusts of nine miles per hour. Nevertheless, the Randolph-Henry Statesmen kicked off their season on Tuesday, March 14 at the brand new Mecklenburg County High School in Baskerville. This would be the Phoenix’s first game in program history. The Statesmen took the field at 6 p.m. for what manager Josh Barmoy said was “a tough game to play but both teams had to face the elements. It was very difficult to grip the baseball and stay warm between innings.’’ This would be true as there were plenty of walks awarded and throwing errors from both sides. After a back and forth of runs scored from both sides, a big six-run first inning and a seven-run sixth inning would be the difference in the ball game as the Statesmen came out on top18-8 over Mecklenburg. “Anytime you can get a win in these conditions you are happy,” said Coach Barmoy. The Statesmen host the Phoenix of Mecklenburg in just two days for game two.                                                                                                                                            

On Thursday, March 16 the Statesmen hosted the Phoenix on what was a much better day for baseball and it showed with cleaner play from both sides. Daniel Powell got the start on the mound for the Statesmen. Matthew Lynch singled as the first batter but got picked off at second base to clean up a stressful first inning. In the bottom of the first, Ben Gibbs singled and a balk from Jaxton Shook allowed Gibbs to go to second. A two out hit from Lucas Skelton scored Gibbs in the bottom of the first as the Statesmen took a 1-0 lead. The scoring halted until the bottom of the fifth as Jaylan Gordon led off with a walk and Andru Lee singled. With runners on second and third, Ben Gibbs singles scored Gordon making the score 2-0 Statesmen. In the same inning, with two outs and runners on second and third, Lucas Skelton singled, bringing both runners home and the score was now at 4-0. These four runs would hold enough for the Statesmen as the Phoenix couldn’t score until a sacrifice fly scored one run in the bottom of the seventh. This could be attributed to a great pitching performance by both Daniel Powell and Brayson Arrington.

The Statesmen will head out on the road next week to play in Lynchburg at Heritage High School on Tuesday, March 21 and head to Appomattox County on Thursday, March 23 to face the Raiders.