Charger Sports: Seniors Shine In Huge Revenge Win For Chargers

Varsity Softball: Spotsylvania Knights vs. Chancellor Chargers

By: Greg Wolfe

All year, Chargers sports has had some incredible games on Senior Night. That trend continued Tuesday afternoon, as the Chancellor Chargers (7-9) hosted a large crowd in tune to a huge 12-3 victory over the visiting Spotsylvania Knights. This win avenged an 11-inning loss previously this year, as the Chargers start to kick it in gear for the impending playoffs.

Seniors Lindsay Pett, Rachel Arnold, and Noelle Greenwood paved the way for the Chargers. The trio went a combined 6-11 with two doubles, three RBI's, and multiple clutch at bats that kept innings alive. Arnold was given her time to shine, and took advantage of it in every way. No errors, a sharp single and walk, and some nice defensive plays at first base. Pett took the mound for four innings pitching pretty close to perfectly and also helped herself out at the plate. Lastly Greenwood had a career day with three hits, one that on almost any other field would've have been a home run, but the large Chancellor outfield kept it in the yard.

Before the game, Arnold was ecstatic about being able to start in front of her family. "I definitely felt butterflies before the game, with the nerves for starting the game. But once I got on the field I was more confident thinking we got this and we are gonna win this. I felt good."

Before the game started, the seniors were honored with their families to a chorus of cheers. Pett had the ball to start things off on the mound, and things got off to an excited start. The Knights' Number 14 led the game off with a sharp single but was quickly erased as the following batter lined sharply out to Kenzie Coates who then fired it to first for the double play.

The Chargers struck quickly in the bottom of the first, quickly surpassing their two run total from earlier in the year. Haley McDaniel brought her speed to the stage with a quick bunt single and stolen base to get the Chargers started. Pett would bunt her along, and Sam Tillman would slam her in with a resounding double into centerfield. Greenwood single in Tillman to start her Senior Night, Kate Schwinn and Coates followed pursuit, and it was a quick 5-0 lead put up by the Chargers.

Pett didn't miss a beat in the top of the second, retiring the Knights quickly. The Chargers couldn't put anything up in the second despite some errors by the Knights, but the lead was still safe.

After the Knights' Number 14 smacked an RBI double in the top of the third, Pett shut things down quickly retiring the next three straight batters to preserve a large Charger lead. The Chargers answered, putting the lead at 6-1 in the bottom of the third thanks to Coates who singled and stole a base to induce a throwing error that eventually led her to score.

The Knights continued to put up some runs in the next inning, as the first two batters reached and made it across the plate thanks to some untimely errors by the Chargers. The lead was still 6-3, so it was no harm for the Chargers who immediately responded with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. After this half of the inning, Pett's incredible performance was over.

After the game, Pett felt great about her performance. "I felt pretty good, a little sore after yesterday but not too bad. Definitely proud of what I was able to do."

Pett would double in the bottom of the fourth, setting things up for Greenwood who hit a double to the fence that would've been a homerun almost anywhere else. The hit sufficed, as two crossed the plate and brought the lead to 8-3.

McDaniel would come in for relief in the fifth, and she shut down the Knights with two strikeouts and a quick retiring of the side. The Chargers would plate three runs in the bottom of that inning, making it smooth sailing for McDaniel as she'd go on to complete the game and give the Chargers an incredible 12-3 victory.

Everyone seemed to have a good day, with highlights all across the board. Greenwood especially at the conclusion of the game was confident in her effort at the plate and was looking forward to the next game. "Lots of hard work over the years went into this, and I didn't change anything today. We play King George next and we need to bring it so that'll be fun."

The Chargers' third game in three days will be at home Wednesday, as they look to get redemption against one of their conference foes the King George Foxes. It is the last regular season game for the team, and may potentially be a tone setter.

And, one last congrats to the Seniors who put so much work into this time year in and year out, who have also helped create a season to remember for everyone involved. Thank you!