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The Statesmen took the field on one of the most frigid opening days seen in a while, with temperatures going as low as 35 degrees and wind gusts of nine miles per hour. Nevertheless, Randolph-Henry kicked off their baseball season on Tuesday, March 14, at the brand new Mecklenburg County High School in Baskerville. This would be the Phoenix’s first game in program history. The statesmen took the field at 6 pm for what manager Josh Barmoy said was “A tough game to play, but both teams had to face the elements. It was very difficult to grip the baseball and stay warm between innings.”

This would be true as plenty of walks were awarded and throwing errors from both sides. A big six-run first inning and a seven-run sixth inning would be the difference in the ball game as the Statesmen would come out on top 18-8 over Mecklenburg.

“Anytime you can get a win in these conditions, you are happy,” said Coach Barmoy.

On Thursday, March 16, the two teams came back together for round two. Daniel Powell took the mound for the Statesmen.

Matthew Lynch would single as the first batter but get picked off at the second base to clean up a stressful first inning. In the bottom of the first, Ben Gibbs would single and a balk from Jaxton Shook would allow Gibbs to go to second. A two-out hit from Lucas Skelton would score Gibbs in the bottom of the first as the Statesmen would take a 1-0 lead. The scoring would halt until the bottom of the fifth as Jaylan Gordon led off with a walk, and Andru Lee singled. With runners on second and third, Ben Gibbs singled, bringing the score to 2-0 Randolph-Henry. In the same inning, with two outs and runners on second and third, Lucas Skelton would single, bringing both runners home and turning the score to 4-0.

These four runs would be enough for the Statesmen as the Phoenix couldn’t score until a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh. The Statesmen will head on the road to Appomattox County on Thursday, March 23, to face the Raiders.