The Chargers entered Tuesday’s game riding a 5-game winning streak, outscoring teams 53-2 that span. Meanwhile, the Wildcats entered Tuesday’s game on a 2-game losing streak.
Chase Conti was the starting pitcher for the Chargers and started a lead-off strikeout. He did battle against Wharton’s second hitter on a 6 pitch at bat, but ultimately led to a fly out to center field. Conti escaped the inning hitless as the third Wildcat grounded out to shortstop.
Reuben Vasquez led off for the Chargers and was caught out by the pitcher on a hard hit ball. Toby Highsmith struck out on his first at bad and Dillon Knight grounded out and the score heading to the second was 0-0.
Conti started the second just like he did the first with a lead-off strikeout. The second batter of the inning grounded out to shortstop. Conti remained hitless heading to the bottom of the second as he scooped up a soft hit to him, throwing it to first base for the out.
Akhil Nimmala, Chase Conti, and Nico Cappucci all got out on base in their first at-bats. It went to the third inning still 0-0, both teams still looking for their first hit.
Conti continued starting the inning with a lead-off strikeout, his third at this point in the game. The second batter popped up to right field for the second out. The first hit of the game was from #55 on Wharton with an infield single. The top of the inning ended after a nice diving catch by the Chargers left fielder.
Matt Hall led off in the bottom of the third for the Chargers and struck out on a full count. Kaden Kuracka got caught out on a foul ball to the first baseman. Saxon Shah got the Charger’s first hit of the game on an infield single. Shah got picked off at first to end the inning and the score remained 0-0 heading to the fourth.
Landon Wood subbed in to start pitching in the fourth for the Chargers after Conti only allowed one hit through three innings. Wood walked the first two batters and got pulled for Brayden Dicerb. He started on fire, striking out the first two batters he faced, which was followed up with a fly out to center field. It stayed 0-0 heading to the bottom of the fourth.
Reuben Vasquez was caught out on a foul ball. Toby Highsmith then flew out to centerfield for two quick Charger outs. Dillon Knight then flew out to left field for a quick 3 up, 3 down for the home team.
Brayden Dicerb was back in at pitcher to start the fifth and the lead-off batter grounded out to the Chargers second baseman, which was followed by a Dicerb strikeout. A hit by pitch, put the Wharton batter on first with two outs, followed by a Wharton walked batter. A wild pitch by Dicerb ended up hurting the Chargers as Wharton got a 2-run, single with two outs. The Wharton runner stole second, but the following batter flew out to right field. Wharton struck first and led 2-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth inning.
Akhil Nimmala led off for his second at bat of the game and grounded out to the first baseman. Chase Conti flew out to left field for the second out of the inning, which then brought up Nico Cappucci, who grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.
In the top of the 6th, the Chargers were trailing 2-0 and Wharton hit a solo shot home run on the very first pitch of the inning. After the homer, Brisen Tweedy subbed in to pitch for the Chargers. He got his first out of the inning as the batter grounded out to Nico Cappucci. The very next play was another Wharton groundout for out number two. Tweedy walked the Wharton batter on a full count then got the Chargers out of the sixth after striking out the Wharton batter by throwing some absolute heat.
Matt Hall and Kaden Kuracka both struck out for the Chargers to start the bottom of the 6th. Saxon Shah then grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
Brisen Tweedy came back out to start the seventh and the first Wharton batter grounded out to second base. An error by Crest got the second runner of the inning on first, followed by a single for Wharton, which put runners on corners with one out. A walk loaded the bases up for Wharton in the top of the seventh and they got a sacrifice fly, bringing in another run to expand the lead. Wharton grounded out to end the top of the seventh and were up 4-0.
Reuben Vasquez grounded out which then brought Toby Highsmith to the plate and flew out in the infield. Dillon Knight was up with Wharton one out away singled. Akhil Nimmala flew out to left field and the game is over.
Wharton won 4-0, shutting out the Chargers.