Chargers Unable To Stay Hot, Drop Season Opener

Varsity Softball: Chancellor Chargers vs. Massaponax Panthers

By: Greg Wolfe

The Chancellor Chargers (0-1) battled through a cold, windy game against the Massaponax Panthers (1-1) this Wednesday afternoon. Despite a hot offensive start, the Panthers were able to settle in and take control later on in the game with a 7-4 win.

To start the game, the heavy-hitting top of the lineup for the Chargers came out swinging and quickly put up a run thanks to an early RBI, 2-out single by Mackenzie Coates. The Chargers battled through two outs early, and were able to show great plate discipline early in the season.

In the bottom of the first, the Panthers answered right back after the Chargers' starter Haley McDaniel gave up back to back walks which would come back to haunt her. Number 3 for the Panthers was able to knock a single up the middle to score the run, but afterwards the Chargers quieted the Panthers quickly. After a pop up, McDaniel stole a line drive and threw it to first for the double play and ended the dangerous inning.

After retiring the first two batters of the next inning, the Panthers seemed to have found their groove until the Chargers again took advantage of some decent 2-out hits. With the bases loaded, Noelle Greenwood came through with a big single to left field that put two runs on the board and gave the lead back to the Chargers.

After the second inning, the Panthers decided to switch out their catcher which seemed to give their pitcher some comfort as she would go on to retire her next 14 consecutive batters, which gave the Panthers more than enough time to take the lead.

In the 4th inning, the Panthers broke through and scored two runs to grab a small advantage over the Chargers. The wind seemed to start blowing their way as the Panthers collected four hits, two of which were bloops that landed out of Sierra Gibson's reach in right field. The Panthers clean-up hitter, Number 12, hit a rocket to center field that made some eyes go wide, but Greenwood out in center field was able to coral it in and end the big inning.

The game stayed relatively quiet until the Panthers put up some insurance runs in the 6th inning, taking advantage of some Charger errors. They had two in the inning, which would be their only two of the day and it cost them.

Headed to the final frame, the Chargers looked to rally. And continuing on the hot trend of hitting with two outs, the Chargers put together a small rally led by McDaniel. Sarah Tiller was able to knock her first RBI of the year, but the Chargers would ultimately come up short.

It was a cold day, and big hits were hard to come by. The Chargers will look to rebound on a much warmer Friday evening this week, as they will have their home opener against the Mountain View Wildcats.

Teams           1 2 3 4 5 6 7  F

Chancellor     1 2 0 0 0 0 1   4 

Massaponax  1 0 1 3 0 2      7

Stat Section

Chancellor Chargers

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Massaponax Panthers

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