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You have to be ready right now, luck runs out

Louisa County at Orange County softball, 6:30 p.m.

The basics: Two schools that always have a healthy dislike for another. Given that most of the other Jefferson District schools are on spring break, this game gets a brighter spotlight too, which is great given the rivalry between the Lions and Hornets and the strength of both programs over the last few years. The two are at the top of the early standings in the Jefferson District and will likely be chasing and pacing each other through May when they branch off into their respective Conference playoff brackets. After falling in a 5-4 battle to Patrick Henry, the Lions have won their last three games by outscoring their opponents 42-4. The Hornets have played a strong out-of-district schedule to start the year and wins over, Spotsylvania, Madison County and William Monroe, followed by a close victory over Monticello and a run-ruling of Albemarle have them on a 5-game winning streak. First place in the JD is on the line between two teams that are both on a tear.

Key matchup: Orange’s Courtney Wright vs. Louisa’s Taylor Robinson and Hannah Fletcher. With both offenses simply on fire, it’ll be up to the pitchers in the circle to try and navigate through these lineups with minimal damage. For Wright, it’ll be about trying to work through a roster chalked full of team speed. Robinson and Fletcher are again splitting time in the circle and both threw complete games last week against Courtland and Chancellor. Don’t be surprised if the Lions use both pitchers in effort to keep Orange’s power bats off balance. Between Hannah Jones and Lexi Lomax, the Hornets have plenty of power on offense.

Who to watch: Lions sophomore infielder Taylor Dickerson. The previous two years, the overwhelming theme for Louisa has been its youth. With Fletcher and Robinson now seasoned veterans as juniors, Dickerson is now that underclassman that’s coming up clutch. She can play shortstop or second base depending on who’s pitching. Going back to 2011, the Lions’ strength has been their overall team depth. Having Dickerson take the next step after putting together a first team All-Conference 23 freshman year as a utility player is a huge bonus for a team that’s already pretty gifted in the infield.

The line: Orange by 1. On paper this looks more like a pick ‘em kind of game, but you have to give the nod to Orange right now considering its strength of schedule and the fact that they’re at home.

 

Four more to watch

 

Woodberry baseball at St. Anne’s-Belfield, Tuesday and Friday

The Prep League did something interesting this year with each week featuring a home-and-away game. The Tigers and Saints line up this week and both squads will be looking bounce back after tough finishes to last week. Woodberry beat FUMA 1-0 but then fell 8-1 to the Blue Devils on Friday. STAB dropped both it’s games with Collegiate, 4-3 and 12-6 with the latter going nine innings. A sweep for either side would be huge here.

 

Eastern View at Monroe girls soccer, Wednesday

The Cyclones head to Stanardsville on a 3-game slide and they get to play a defending Conference 28 champion which features a pair of collegiate-bound athletes between Rachel DeMasters (William and Mary) and Juliet Karnes (Shenandoah). The Dragons rolled past Central Woodstock 5-0 and will look to kick their season into full gear.

 

George Mason at Madison County baseball, Friday

The Mountaineers have won four of their last five games and get to host a Mason squad that’s coming off a pair of losses this weekend. Madison’s offense truly came to life in their 15-2 shelling of Rappahannock. If the Mountaineers keep that up, it should help a team that’s had pretty good pitching and defense so far. Madison travels to Clarke before the meeting with Mason.

 

Miller at Woodberry baseball, Saturday

It’s quite the week for Tigers. The Mavericks took the first meeting 8-3 with a seventh inning rally three weeks ago. With the two games against St. Anne’s-Belfield earlier in the week, the Tigers pitching depth gets a challenge here. However, the same is true for the Mavericks as they face road trips to Roanoke Catholic and Blue Ridge before their second round with Woodberry. And keep an eye on Tanner Morris. He’s hit .668 with two homeruns, two triples and 10 RBI through six games for Miller right now.

 

Team on the rise: Monticello girls soccer

The Mustangs have veteran leadership in Hannah Keith, Samantha Payne, Annie Ligush and Alexandra Blaine. Between that and some young but tough defenders, they look like they’re ready to be a major factor in the Jefferson District this year. This defense has given up just three goals all season and has three shutouts to its name. After playing a strong Spotswood team to a 1-1 tie two weeks ago, Monticello cruised past Orange County 4-2 and then shutout an always tough Charlottesville team 1-0 last week. At 4-0-1, the Mustangs next game is a huge one with perennial power Albemarle (3-0-1) next week after both programs get back from spring break.

 

 

 

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