Chargers hosted the Middleton Tigers. The Chargers entered this game with a 7-6 record, 5-2 at home. As for Middleton, they are still looking for their first win of the season with a 0-8 record.
Brisen Tweedy took the mound for the Chargers to start the game and struck out the very first batter. A controversial hit by pitch put a Middleton runner on base, followed by a single over the first base line but Crest got a runner out on third. With two outs and a runner on first, Tweedy struck out the cleanup hitter to head to the end of the first.
Reuben Vasquez led off for the Chargers offense and got a four-pitch walk. Toby Highsmith followed and during his at bat, Vasquez stole second and an overthrow advanced him to third. Highsmith grounded out to first but scored Vasquez in the process. Dillon Knight was up with one out and no one on base and singled to center field. Akhil Nimmala was up, and Knight stole second and another overthrow moved him to third. Nimmala advanced to second after a dropped ball from Middleton’s shortstop. Knight scored as a result. Nico Cappuci RBI tripled and got home after a sacrifice fly from Matt Hall. Tripp House popped out and that ended the first with Crest up 4-0.
The top of the second started with a leadoff bunt by Middleton, resulting in a quick first pitch out. Tweedy struck out the second batter on a 3 pitch, 3 strike count. A hit by pitch put a Middleton runner on with two outs. A ground out to first made it a smooth inning heading to the bottom of the second for the Chargers.
The bottom of the second started with Saxon Shah and he grounded out to third. Kaden Kuracka popped up to second. Vazquez was up with two outs, no one on, and popped out to third ending the second inning with the same score.
Tweedy was back out for the top of the third and struck out the lead-off batter on a full count. A hit by pitch put a runner on first for Middleton. The next hitter grounded out the runner to second but got on first. A wild pitch by Tweedy advanced the runner to second, followed by an infield single, putting runners on the corners for Middleton with two outs. Tweedy clutched up with a strike-out and kept Middleton scoreless heading to the bottom of the third.
Toby Highsmith led off for the Chargers and got a 4 pitch walk to start the inning. Dillon Knight was back up and Highsmith stole second on the first pitch. Knight grounded out but Highsmith advanced to third. Akhil Nimmala hit a single, bringing in a runner and extending the Chargers lead. Nico Cappuci was up with 1 on, 1 out, and grounded to the shortstop, getting Nimmala out but reaching first. Matt Hall was up with two outs for the Chargers and Cappuci stole second. Hall hit a fly out to center field ending the third with Crest up 5-0.
Tweedy stayed in to start the fourth inning for the Chargers and stayed hot, striking out the leadoff Middleton batter. He followed it up nicely with a 3-pitch strikeout for the second out of the inning. On a full count, the Tigers ground out and Crest headed to the bottom of the fourth after a 3 up, 3 down.
Tripp House led off for the Chargers in the bottom of the fourth and got a leadoff triple. Saxon Shah followed suit with a triple, scoring House. With a runner on third and no outs, Kaden Kuracka was up and tripled, hitting it over the right fielder, making it three triples in a row for the Chargers. Reuben Vasquez grounded out but scored another runner for the Chargers. Toby Highsmith continued the trend in this inning with the fourth Chargers triple. Dillon Knight crushed a single up the middle, scoring Highsmith. Akhil Nimmala hit a fly to left field for the second out of the inning. With two outs, and a runner on first, Nico Cappuci grounded out to the shortstop to end the inning. Crest extended their lead to 9-0.
Damian Lariz entered the game in the top of the fifth inning after a near-perfect four innings for Tweedy. Middleton grounded out to the shortstop to start the fifth. Lariz made an instant impact, striking out both batters for the Tigers to record the second and third out of the inning.
Tripp House was up with no outs and the lead-off runner on first and singled up the middle, putting two on for Saxon Shah. It was a 4 pitch walk for Shah, loading the bases with Kaden Kuracka up. Kuracka popped up but Middleton dropped it, scoring a runner, making it 10-0 and Middleton forfeits after being down double digits.
The Chargers are now 6-2 at home, but they are on the road for the next 2 games:
4/2 @ King High School 7:00 PM
4/4 @ Tampa Bay Tech 7:00 PM
The Plant City Raiders have 3 upcoming games:
3/28 @ Alonso 7:00 PM
4/2 Vs Brandon 7:00 PM
4/4 @ Durant 7:00 PM
The Durant Cougars have won 4 in a row and have 3 upcoming games:
3/28 @ Gaither 7:00 PM