Reliever threw to one batter Monday, violating mandatory rest period after hurling 100 pitches Friday
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, April 29 — After winning eight of their first 10 games, the Page County Panthers recorded their fifth-consecutive loss on Monday in strange fashion. A relief pitcher in the fifth inning violated a mandatory rest period after throwing 100 pitches on Friday. The “sportsmanship violation” will be filed with the VHSL this week, and Monday’s Bull Run District battle with the Generals is being recorded as a 1-0 forfeit in favor of Mt. View.
If Jordan Foster had hurled one less pitch on Friday in a 4-1 loss to Clarke, he would have needed only three days rest, according to VHSL pitching regulations. However, the senior right-hander hit the century mark in pitch count and was therefore ineligible to pitch in Monday’s district matchup with Mt. View.
Foster entered the game with two outs in the fifth and only faced one batter. After a handful of pitches, the ball was dribbled back to Foster, who threw the ball to first to close out the inning. Foster was relieved by sophomore Caden Combs the next inning and play continued until midway through the top of the sixth, when PCHS Athletic Director Bill Simmons walked onto the field to discuss the situation with coaches and umpires.
Simmons had previously been discussing “a situation” with Mt. View Athletic Director (and former PCHS AD) Keith Cubbage during the game after Foster appeared on the mound. After a few minutes passed and a few conversations took place, Simmons stopped the game.
“Today’s game is being stopped due to a ‘sportsmanship violation’…and due to concerns over safety and not further running up pitch counts,” Simmons announced to the crowd over the PA system after the teams shook hands.
The announcement abruptly ended an entertaining ballgame that saw Page put together nine hits and score seven runs to come back from an early 2-0 deficit. Junior Tyler Shifflett pitched a solid 4-2/3 innings, striking out seven while only walking three. Junior Tyler Monger went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, while senior Sean Cave went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Big Noah Lucas may have officially went 0-for-2 on the day, but the senior first baseman hit two crushing blows to the fence, including a sac-fly RBI. When the game was suspended in the top of the sixth, Page was leading 7-4.
In 15 games, East Rockingham has been the only team to shutout the Panthers. Page County’s offensive production has not been the problem. They even scored 15 runs during their last five losses. However, the uncharacteristic problem for the Panthers has been errors in the field. That, coupled with inconsistent pitching, has lead to a mid-season slump with only five games remaining in the regular season.
One week ago against Luray, Page committed three errors in the field, gave up five walks, hit seven batters and had several wild pitches (or passed balls) that culminated into seven unearned runs. Against Clarke on Friday, the Panthers pitching gave up only two walks and hit no batters — but the Eagles were able to put together six hits combined with five Page errors to win a close 4-1 ballgame. In Monday’s suspended game, Mt. View benefitted from four hit batters, three walks and several misplayed balls in the infield (albeit, the blinding sun could partially be to blame).
Page should have recorded a win on Monday, if not for a minor rule infraction. The Panthers had an opportunity to comeback against Clarke, as the bases were loaded when the final out was made in a three-run loss. Three days prior, Page fell to Central by only one run, 5-4. Outside of Luray, the only big losses the Panthers have suffered this season have been to Class 3 competition.
After sitting at the top of the Bull Run standings at 5-0 just two weeks ago, the Panthers are now 5-4 in the district and sit in fourth place — one game behind Strasburg and Madison, tied at 6-3 in district play. Page County travels to the Mountaineers at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night, and will host the Rams at 6 p.m. Friday.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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