New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 29, 2024

Charles City drops opener to Peninsula Catholic in clash at Harrison Park

By Robb Johnson | March 16, 2018 12:01 am

Craig Jones rounds third base on his way home for a Panther run.

Robb Johnson photo

Opening day for Charles City’s Panthers’ baseball team had a little bit of a different feel as they played at the well-known Harrison Park, a venue that hosted many contests in the 1980s and early 1990s. The Mar. 14 contest against Peninsula Catholic looked to give the young Panthers some experience.

However, errors and the inability to communicate on the field destroyed a promising early start as the hosts fell 20-8 in the season opening contest.

Christian Stewart’s nervousness was evident, as the Panther pitcher yielded four early walks and two runs. Charles City head coach Irving Bradby elected to put senior Craig Jones Jr. on the mound. Jones calmed the early storm, only allowing one run and getting out of a bases-loaded jam.

Jones reaped benefits on the offensive end for the hosts, driving in Stewart and Jonathan Seymour to bring the Panthers within one (3-2).

But Charles City’s luck would run out in the top of the second inning. Thomas Hines reached base on a Panther error before scoring on two more Charles City miscues. Peninsula Catholic’s Ryan Klein blasted the ball deep into the field for a triple, bringing in three runs and upping the visitors’ advantage to 7-2. Charles City struggled on the defensive end, yielding 13 additional runs as Peninsula Catholic claimed the victory.

After the contest, Bradby provided insight on the contest and the early inning jitters.

“The first inning affected us and because of the weather, we didn’t have as much time to teach pitching,” the head coach said, pointing to inclement conditions that kept most practices indoors. “Stewart is our most experienced pitcher that we have, and we are going to have to work on mechanics and getting the ball off the mound.”

Bradby, however, offered praise for his team’s ability to swing the bat early.

“I think we hit well and that was something we were able to work on when we were practicing inside,” Bradby said. “We just have to learn how to hit better in clutch situations in these early contests.”

Charles City falls to 0-1 on the season.