By Stephen Henderson

The Patrick County High School junior varsity baseball team played Blacksburg two times last week and split the two games. Monday, the JV Cougars defeated the Bruins 7-4 at Blacksburg. Wednesday, the Bruins defeated the Cougars 5-2 at Cougar Field.

In Monday’s game, PC took a first-inning lead of 1-0 and added two more runs in the third. Blacksburg scored one run in the fourth inning.

The Cougar bats came alive in the seventh inning, adding four runs while the Bruins added three runs. Patrick County took the win 7-4.

Josh Cochram pitched 4-1/3 innings, struck out six batters, allowed three hits and one run. Nick Duncan came in and struck out two batters, allowed three runs and three hits.

Josh Cockram, Carson Merriman and Jacob Mullis each had two hits in the game. Cockram had three RBIs.

“This was a very good win for our club. Blacksburg was a good ball club. They played good defense and put the ball in play,” Coach Donald Rakes said. “I was very pleased to come out on top of this one. The kids are really coming in to their own as a team, finding ways to win,” he added.

Wednesday, the Cougars hosted the Bruins and lost 5-2.

Blacksburg scored three runs in the third inning to take the lead. They added two more runs in the sixth. Patrick County’s two runs came in the sixth inning.

Kelon Penn had two hits; Nick Duncan, Carson Merriman and Taylor Swails each had one run.

“A very good baseball game against a very good Blacksburg team,” said Rakes, “we just happen to come out on the wrong end. We had opportunities—the bases were loaded in three different innings, but we just didn’t cash in,” he said.

“We had a nine-game winning streak coming into the game; a lot of things have fallen our way. Tonight—they didn’t; hats Baseball,” he said. “I love the way we kept fighting—we will learn from this and come back stronger,” he added.

The JV Cougar season record is 10-4.

Tuesday, the JV Cougars hosted Tunstall; they play at Martinsville today (Wednesday).