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Randolph-Henry’s baseball team dominated in conference play over the last week, combining to score 25 runs over the two games.

April 18 marked a Throwback Night both as a theme and on the field for Randolph-Henry’s baseball team, as the Statesmen dominated in a 15-0 contest against Cumberland. With the throwback theme running throughout the night, players wore the same uniform as the 1980s Randolph-Henry squads.

Additionally, Daniel McGraw threw out a ceremonial first pitch. Daniel played at Randolph-Henry on the varsity team from 1999-2002 as a third baseman and pitcher. Billy Catron was the head baseball coach at that time, with Chris Anderson serving as assistant coach. While playing for the Statesmen, Daniel was a part of the 2001 team that made it to the state semifinals and also a part of the very first state championship team in 2002. Daniel has many accolades, including as a four-time All-District selection, a three-time All-Region selection, and three-time All-State selection. Daniel is also a member of the Randolph-Henry Hall of Fame as an individual and as a member of the 2002 State Championship team.

In regards to the game at hand, Ben Gibbs got the start against the Dukes of Cumberland. Gibbs had four strikeouts and only allowed two hits. Sophomore Colby Trent came in relief and pitched two innings, striking out five allowing zero hits. Offensively, the Statesmen were led by Daniel Powell, Jaylan Gordon, and Brennan Arrington as all three had a two hit night. The Statesmen would push across 15 runs and not allow Cumberland to score as the Statesmen celebrate Throwback Night with a 15-0 victory.

A FEW MORE RUNS SCORED

Two days later, the Statesmen allowed a bit more offense from the opposition, but the result was the same, as they exploded for a 12-4 win.

Heading to Golubic Stadium in Crewe, to face the Nottoway Cougars, the Statesmen got off to a great start, scoring three runs in the top of the third. Ben Gibbs singled, then Daniel Powell would get hit by a pitch, Jayden Gee would reach on an error, and Jaylan Gordon would single. Things would remain 3-0 until the bottom of the third. Two back to back singles and a walk would load the bases for Nottoway’s Sam Young. His single then scored two runs. Two walks from Luke Skelton would plate another run for the Cougars, tying things up at 3-3.

Randolph-Henry rallied in the fourth, taking advantage of two errors and then driving in a run on another hit by Gibbs. A Camden Tucker single in the fifth added one more and then the floodgates broke open in the sixth and seventh innings. Combined, the Statesmen scored seven runs over the two innings. After a Nottoway solo home run, the final score came to 12-4.

Skelton got the win, going five innings and striking out seven. Brayson Arrington would come in for Randolph-Henry in relief, pitching two innings and striking out one.

COMING UP

The Statesmen will hit the road on Thursday, April 27 with a game at Lunenburg. That has a start time of 5 p.m.