Charles City lacks mental focus, King William pounds Panthers 18-0

By Robb Johnson | May 10, 2023 11:36 pm

Charles City’s Aidan Stewart (right) applies a tag on King William’s Daniel Howell, who was caught in a rundown, for an out.

Robb Johnson photo

Mental preparation is as keen as physical preparation in today’s athletic contests. And it was a mental letdown that haunted Charles City’s Panthers in a May 9 home contest against the King William Cavaliers.

Despite playing respectable for most of the contest, the Panthers surrendered nine runs in the top of the sixth, resulting in King William capturing an 18-0 victory in the Tidewater District matchup.

King William started off strong against Charles City starting pitcher Damian Barnes Jr. The Cavaliers pushed three runs across base in the top of the frame to kick off the scoring.

Charles City head steadfast in the second inning, thanks to a pop fly being snagged and William Zuidema IV throw to Aidan Stewart, who applied a tag to King Williams Brandon Seal. Chris Wimmer’s pop out provided Charles City a one-two-three inning.

But the Panther offense sputtered, unable to get a run across the plate. The hosts struck out 10 times in the game, but still only trailed 9-0. However, Charles City had mentally checked out as after the bottom of the fifth, they lined up to shake hands, only to see that the mercy rule had not been reached. The result saw King William rattle off nine runs in the top of the sixth, ensuring the mercy rule would be applied after the Panthers’ side was retired in the bottom half of the frame.

After the contest, Charles City Head Coach Michael Logan spoke about his team’s mental breakdown.

“We have to finish better when it comes to paying attention detail and doing the little things,” he said. “Once the wheels start falling off, it’s a ‘here we go again’ type of thing.

“There will be things that I will address in the offseason,” Logan added. “It’s the little things that make a team successful.”

Charles City played again on May 10, hosting the West Point Pointers. However, the Panthers fell to the visitors, ending their season with a record of 2-15.