Chargers rack up wins on diamond

Published 12:25 pm Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Central High School’s varsity baseball team defeated host Sussex Central High School 11-0 Monday afternoon for its third win in a row.

On Thursday, the Chargers defeated Nottoway High School 7-2 at Golubic Stadium in Crewe, led by senior Malik Foster, who finished with two hits, four runs batted in and two runs scored.

The Cougars and Chargers were locked in a 1-1 tie after the second inning, but Central started pulling away with a run in the fourth, two runs in the fifth and three runs in the seventh.

Chargers junior Ethan Hoover earned the win on the mound, pitching all seven innings. He threw seven strikeouts, allowing one run, six hits and no walks.

On March 21, Central topped visiting Buckingham County High School 15-5 in five innings for its second win of the season.

“The win over Buckingham was a terrific team win,” Chargers Head Coach Michael Atkins said. “Each player on the team stepped up to contribute in some phase of the game. The team played with unselfish drive and enthusiasm. This was the kind of game that brings teams together.”

Junior Christian Hall produced two hits, three RBIs and one run scored, while junior Jeffrey Goodwin Jr. also generated three RBIs, to go with one hit and two runs scored.

Juniors L.J. Watson and Nate Nowlin each recorded two hits and three runs scored, and Nowlin added an RBI.

Hoover had two RBIs, one hit and one run scored, and senior Chris Fowler had one hit and two runs scored.

Junior Austin Alphin scored two runs, Foster scored one and junior Noah Dunbar had one RBI.

Speaking the next day after the win, Atkins said, “We wanted to be more aggressive offensively last night in the Buckingham game and were able to generate more offense, making something happen rather than being overly selective and waiting for something to happen. Last night, we were able to get our one and two batters on which gave us more flexibility offensively.”

The Chargers (4-1) visited William Campbell High School on Tuesday, and they host Bluestone High School on Thursday at 5 p.m. On Tuesday, April 4, they visit Goochland High School at 5 p.m.