James River defeats Douglas Freeman in 11-inning thriller
He didn’t expect to play, and why should he?
Drew Acuto, after all, was just a sophomore who’d earned a late-season promotion to the James River Rapids’ varsity baseball roster after spending most of the spring laboring in relative anonymity on the JV.
His role, he knew, was to watch, listen, learn, and support his guys.
His time to shine would one day come. That he also knew.
Little could he imagine that it would come so soon.
Friday night, amidst the tension thick in the air, Acuto stroked a sacrifice fly to right field in the bottom of the 11th inning to send Jayden Grant home from third with the deciding run in the Rapids’ 5-4 victory over visiting Douglas Freeman in the quarterfinal round of the Region 5C playoffs.
“Our coaches always tell us, ‘You’ve got to be ready for your moment,’” Acuto said. “The goal was always sac fly. The first pitch was up. I thought I had a chance to put it somewhere in the outfield.
“The second pitch was a fastball right over the plate. I just let it rip. What happens, happens.”
Grant, a senior shortstop and VMI signee, began the final half-inning by beating out a sharp single to the left side of the infield.
He then stole second and moved to third on a single to right by freshman catcher Alex Adams.
Scoring from third on a shot to Freeman right fielder Jack Adams was no sure thing.
In the seventh inning, Adams cut down a runner at the plate with a laser from deep right.
An inning later, another pinpoint throw held another runner at third.
Grant, though, was undeterred.
“I was going, no matter what,” he said. “Drew did his job. Once (the ball) was in the air, with my speed, I knew I’d be safe.”
He was, of course, but barely.
Adams unleashed another strike, but, sliding headfirst, Grant narrowly avoided the tag.
“All credit to that right fielder,” said JR coach Pete Schumacher. “He has a cannon. All three of his throws were great.
“Jayden is our fastest guy. Even when (Acuto’s sac fly) was shallow, I’m going to give him a chance to make an athletic play. His slide was the difference.”
The No. 3 Rapids (18-3) went up 1-0 in the bottom of the third when Matthew Baggett drew a bases-loaded walk scoring Alex Kish, a pinch runner for Eli Hulette, who led off with a single.
After Adams’ diving catch of a sinking line drive got Freeman (14-8) out of a bases-loaded jam, the No. 6 Mavericks put up two runs in the fourth when Thomas Page singled home Adams and Page scored on a fielder’s choice.
The Rapids regained the lead an inning later when Brian Consuegra (courtesy runner for Alex Adams, who singled) scored on a fielder’s choice and Eli Bower scored on a bases-loaded walk.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Matthew Berrey delivered a double to center field to send Ben Bleicher (single) and Brady Finn (fielder’s choice) home and put Freeman ahead 4-3.
With the game on the line, JR’s Owen Wears hit a sharp single to left scoring Consuegra (pinch runner for Conner Sprouse, who was hit by a pitch) to tie the game before Adams’ monster throw from right prevented the winning run from scoring.
The game then went into extra innings. What had seemed a fast-paced matchup early on evolved into a four-hour marathon.
Then, Acuto’s bat brought it to conclusion and set off a celebration amongst the James River faithful.
“The electricity was there,” Acuto said. “Everybody was awesome. There was so much adrenaline. So much was going through my head.
“I wouldn’t have been in that situation if my team wasn’t fighting all game. We had a huge team effort from the pitchers, the hitters, and even the dugout bringing all the energy. I’m just glad I could be part of it.”
Each team used four pitchers who unleashed a total of 385 pitches.
Nolan Anthony (no runs, no hits, three strikeouts, 38 pitches, 26 for strikes) shut down the Mavericks over the final three innings and earned the win.
“There’s confidence as soon as Coach calls my name,” Anthony said. “That comes from the dugout.”
His curve and fastball were the magic, he said. Experience and mindset helped as well.
“Take a moment,” he said of his ability to control what he could control. “Relax. Focus on the catcher’s mitt.”
After the post-game handshakes, the Rapids adjourned to their customary spot in left field to debrief and reflect.
Joy abounded, for sure. Then, they went about their business of restoring the Dave Cottrell Field, their home turf, to pregame condition.
“My teammates played with energy and energy and energy,” said Grant. “We can do anything. Anything is possible when we play with energy, effort, and hard-fought at-bats.”
