Fluvanna County baseball didn’t waste any time making it clear that 2018 wasn’t a fluke.
The Flucos pounded defending Class 3 state champion Spotsylvania 17-0 Monday night, making a big statement in their season opener.
Fluvanna tagged the Knights with 14 runs in the first inning, giving the Flucos a huge cushion out of the gate. Fluvanna’s pitchers didn’t need that much help. Andrew Ward threw four innings of no-hit baseball, striking out 12 while allowing just two walks and Wyatt Dansey wrapped up the win with two strikeouts in the fifth while allowing just one hit.
Mason Gross had a big night with four RBI going 1-for-3 at the plate. John Rittenhouse hit a double scored three runs and knocked in another three. Ryan Groome and Kevin Ward each knocked in two runs. Ward went 2-for-3 including a triple. Andrew Ward and Cameron Shields each knocked in a run as well.
Spotsylvania graduated a trio of first team All-State players, but the cupboard is far from bare. The Knights’ leadoff hitter Trevor Croson was a second team All-State pick and cleanup hitter Brian Baker was a hero on the mound in last year’s state title upset of Abingdon.
Which makes the Flucos’ lockdown, error-free performance even more impressive.
The Flucos return to action Friday at home at 7:30 p.m. against Harrisonburg.
