Home Opening Thriller Ends With Chargers Win

Varsity Softball: Mountain View Wildcats vs. Chancellor Chargers

By: Greg Wolfe

The Chancellor Chargers (1-1) were able to overcome some adversity Friday afternoon for the home opener, as a late run proved the difference against the Mountain View Wildcats.

Similar to earlier in the week against Massaponax, the Chargers opened up the game with a strong offense as the top of their line up continued to shine. Haley McDaniel got things started quick, literally, as she dropped down a perfect bunt to get on base. She then stole second and third base, allowing Noelle Greenwood to collect her third RBI of the young season.

McDaniel then went on the mound to do some quick work, retiring the side swiftly with a strikeout thrown into the mix. The second inning was quiet for the Chargers, but the pace didn't slow down as McDaniel stayed hot on the mound and tossed another scoreless frame to keep the lead.

In the third inning the Chargers played add-on, as McDaniel found her way on again with a bunt and quickly found her way home after Greenwood absolutely rocked a ball into centerfield for a triple which was the team's first extra base hit of the year. Kate Schwinn followed in line, and knocked a solid double into left field to extend the Chargers lead to 3-0.

The scoring settled down again until the fifth, where some miscues came back to haunt the Chargers. Three errors in the fifth inning helped three Wildcats find their way home thanks to big hits from Numbers 4 and 14. This tied the game, and almost turned the tide like the Chargers had seen earlier in the week. McDaniel was able to shut it down however, and force the game to move on in a tie.

The Chargers would strike again in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Mackenzie Coates led off the inning with a triple into an outfield gap. Sarah Tiller was able to step up and complete the scoring play, plating Coates with a ground ball out to the second baseman.

McDaniel wasn't about to let a lead slip away again, and did what she does best which is produce outs. She retired three of the four batters in the top of the 7th, only failing to retire Number 14 who had the most impressive day at the plate going 3-3 with a walk and an RBI.

This was the first win in the Chargers young season, and they will be looking to carry this momentum into tomorrow (Saturday, March 25) where they will go on the road to face the Stafford Indians.

Stat Section

Chancellor Chargers

(Click image for full view)

Mountain View Wildcats

(Click image for full view)