Randolph-Henry High School’s junior varsity (JV) baseball team holds a 7-4-1 record going into Thursday’s home game against Prince Edward, but injuries and illnesses have made the season a difficult one for the Statesmen.

Head Coach Mark Heintzleman highlighted his team’s 15-4 road victory over Bluestone on Thursday, noting that he had only 10 available players due to injuries and sickness. Then, during the game, another player was injured, leaving the Statesmen with the bare minimum of nine healthy players. “It’s been a weird year in that regard, just injuries and sicknesses, but that’s the nature of the game sometimes — the ball rolls your way, and sometimes it doesn’t,” Heintzleman said.

Despite the difficulties, some players have shined as the season has progressed. The coach highlighted freshman Caleb Shook, who has stepped up as a starting catcher while sophomore Andrew Leach has been out of the lineup. Freshman Dalton Lockridge has also made the most of his starting opportunity. “He has been hitting the ball among the best on our team,” Heintzleman said.

The Statesmen host the Eagles on Thursday at 6 p.m.