By Sports Editor Brian Hoffman
How do you go two games without scoring and come out 1-1? Just ask anyone from the William Byrd baseball team.
The Terriers went back-to-back games without crossing the plate but still got a win when Salem forfeited a game last week at Walthall Park. On the field the Spartans won 8-0 but when it was discovered Salem pitcher Trace Monroe threw 124 pitches Salem had to forfeit the game. First year Salem coach Jimmy Winterer was under the impression the limit was 120 pitches when the last batter is faced, and the actual number is 110.
“I was keeping track but I was mistaken about the rule,” said Winterer. “That won’t happen again.”
So, all the statistics from that game will not count in the season totals. Byrd’s five hits, including a double by James Purcell, are like it never happened and the Terriers were happy to pick up a win on a day they didn’t play well.
On Tuesday, Byrd coach Jason Taylor wasn’t so happy. The Terriers were shut out again, this time 1-0 at Lord Botetourt, and this time the loss counted.
“We need to learn how to win,” said Taylor. “We only start two seniors and we’ve been shut out three times now, and Tuesday’s game was one we could have won.”
Cooper Minnix was the tough luck loser on the mound, allowing just one run over five innings. The Cavaliers scored in the first inning on two walks and two hits and that was the only run of the game. Minnix worked around nine LB hits while the Terriers managed just four hits off Cavalier pitcher Nolan Medley. Ian Burnett, Keller Spraker, Noah Thompson and Purcell all had singles for the Terriers.
Byrd will try and snap a two game scoreless streak on Friday night when the Terriers host Staunton River in a jayvee-varsity doubleheader, with the varsity expected to start around 7 pm. On Saturday the Terriers are at Hidden Valley for another jayvee-varsity doubleheader, with the varsity expected to begin around 2:30 pm. Byrd is 3-4 counting the forfeit win.
“A lot of teams in our region have been losing some games,” said Taylor. “Somebody is going to go on a winning streak and I hope it’s us.”
