by Seneca Contomanolis
DigitalSports Richmond
scontomanolis@digitalsports.com
Austin Stadler and Robert Oldham hit home runs to help James River to a 5-4 win over Albemarle in the state Group AAA quarterfinals. The game was suspended due to weather and then called because of the five-inning rule.
After an hour delay in the bottom of the fourth inning because of lightning, play resumed under a light drizzle.
But soon after another batch of lightning, heavier rain and darkness caused the contest to be halted before the bottom of the fifth.
The officials didn’t let everyone know of the five-inning rule. Since James River was leading the contest after the top of the fifth inning was completed it is an official game.
The defending state champions move on to face Eastern Region champ Bethel on Friday at 3 p.m. at Westfield High School. The Bruins defeated Chantilly 4-2.
Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the third, Stadler tied the game with a solo shot to deep center field and then Oldham put James River ahead 5-3 with a two-run homer.
The Patriots also took part in the slug fest as Andrew Bradley hit a two-run bomb in the top of the third that gave Albermarle the 3-2 advantage.
Jack Cleary and Carter Brown provided the other RBI for the Rapids.
Jake Hochstetler put Albemarle in front 1-0 in the first with an RBI double off of Stadler. Cleary evened the score by driving in Eamon Schwartz in the bottom half of the inning.
Brown gave James River a 2-1 lead in the second when he hit a triple scoring Sean Monahan from first base.
Albemarle 102 10 – 4 6 3
James River 113 0x – 5 6 1
White, Peters (4) and Utz; Stadler, Mathews (5) and Cleary. W: Stadler. L: White.
Records: James River (19-5); Albemarle (18-8)
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