Atlantic Eagles Score Early To Defeat Santaluces Chiefs

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Thursday’s game between the Atlantic Eagles and the Santaluces Chiefs started slowly and then the Eagles scored in consecutive innings to take a commanding lead. Atlantic held that lead the rest of the way for a 5-1 victory over the host Chiefs.

The Eagles started slowly with three quick outs in the first inning, but over the next two innings proceeded to score five quick runs for a 5-0 lead. An infield single by Shelby Frazier started the second inning and was followed by an infield error allowing Cameron Husing to reach base safely. Then a solid double to right-center field from Max Charmin sent both runners racing home. Jake Eder followed with a base on balls to put two runners on base for the Eagles (5-2). A ground out by Mathew Sheridan was followed by a solid single by Austin Saunders to plate the third and final run of the inning.

In the top of the third inning, Michael Pace led off with a sharp single. Shelby Frazier then reached base for the second consecutive time by way of an infield error that advanced Pace to third, thus setting the table for Max Charmin to again come through for his teammates. Charmin laced a single to score another run, then Jake Eder reached again by way of an defensive mistake, which in turn allowed the second run of the inning to cross the plate.

Max Charmin started for the visiting Eagles, and he pitched through four innings and was able to keep the Chiefs in check during his time on the mound.

“It was a good team win,” Charmin said. “I was able to find the zone and show a lot of confidence and let my teammates do the rest. The hits were a bonus.”

The Chiefs (1-6) started out slowly, held in check by the pitching of Max Charmin for the first two innings, as he only allowed a solid single to Sebastian Campos. But Santaluces struck for its first run in the third after Jorei Ortega started the inning with a line double to the out field. After Charmin recorded the first two outs of the inning via strikeouts, MJ Restivo turned the tables and reached on an infield error to put two runners on. Andrew Johnson made the visitors pay with a solid single to plate Ortega. But they were unable to string any more base hits hits together and the inning ended with just the one run on the score board.

Chiefs starting pitcher Jacob Williams pitched a good game, as he went through six innings. But his offense was just unable to string together any type of rally after the third-inning score. McKay Griffin relieved Williams for the final frame and kept the visitors at bay, although the damage had already been done.

“We are a young team, and I think Jacob Williams pitched well enough to keep us in the game,” Santaluces Manager Nick Franco said. “After the first three innings he really settled down. Offensively, we are just putting too much pressure on our pitchers by not being able to put the hits together to get a big inning.  We are a young and inexperienced team, but they are hard workers and will be better for it in the long run.”

Cadarius Gaskin, Rishi Challa and Michael Pace each pitched an inning of relief. Together they allowed just a base runner in the sixth and a single by Jacob Collins in the seventh to keep the home team at bay for the last three innings.

“We played well tonight,” Atlantic Manager Steve Wilson said. “It’s always tough when we play Santaluces, as their manger, Nick Franco, does a real good job over there. This is the kind of game we have every time we play each other. We got out on top early and our pitching was able to keep them in check tonight.”

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