The Blue Ridge Barons are taking a road trip to square off against the Fishburne Military Caissons at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Blue Ridge has given up an average of 9.5 runs per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Blue Ridge came up short against Highland on Monday, falling 23-8.
Obryan Bouchard
| 04/07/26 @ Hargrave Military Academy | 3 |
| 04/20/26 @ Highland | 2 |
| 04/17/26 vs Eastern Mennonite | 2 |
| 04/13/26 vs Roanoke Catholic | 2 |
| 03/25/26 vs Shenandoah Valley Academy | 2 |
Obryan Bouchard was cooking despite his team's loss, going a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI. Blue Ridge is 4-1 when Bouchard posts two or more runs, but 1-5 otherwise. Jason Byers was another key player, getting on base in two of his four plate appearances with five stolen bases and one run.
Meanwhile, Fishburne Military had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 5.5 runs) and they went ahead and made it three on Saturday. Everything went their way against the Colonels as they made off with a 10-0 victory. The Caissons might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three contests by ten runs or more this season.
Gabriel Rotava was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two hits in six consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, two RBI, and one run. Those two stolen bases gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Cooper Ezersky, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with four stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. That's the most stolen bases he has posted since back in April of 2025. Liam Wilson also deserves some recognition as he got his first hit of the season.
Fishburne Military always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .562. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Massanutten Military Academy only posted an OBP of .409.
Fishburne Military's record now sits at 5-3. As for Blue Ridge, they now have a losing record of 5-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Blue Ridge has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Fishburne Military struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.2 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Blue Ridge got the 'W' in their previous meeting back in April of 2025 against Fishburne Military by a conclusive 12-2 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Barons since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
