New Kent Charles City Chronicle

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

New Kent topples Lafayette in Senior Day baseball action

By Robb Johnson | May 8, 2018 11:37 pm

New Kent first baseman John Mehalko (8) fields a throw for the first out before tossing it home to complete a double play.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s Trojans and Lafayette’s Rams each had their ups and down during a May 8 matchup. The question each team posed to themselves is which team would take advantage of the other’s miscues? The homestanding Trojans answered the question.

With resolve and grit, New Kent toppled the visiting Rams 6-5 in the baseball duel.

With the game flow not developing, New Kent held a two-run lead heading into the top of the seventh. The Trojans looked to wrap things up until a misplay by right fielder Austin Connolly allowed Lafayette base-runner Riley Leigh to cross home plate and cut the deficit to one (6-5). New Kent pitcher Aaron Wiggins remained poised on the mound. With one out and runners in scoring position, the New Kent hurler tossed two straight strikeouts, closing out the game and a successful Senior Day celebration.

New Kent head coach Michael Kuper expressed satisfaction after the victory.

“The players played hard today, and I feel like we gave our best effort even in times of turmoil,” he said. “We played today like we do in practice.

“our communication on the field along with our understanding of each other is why we can get plays at the plate like we did in the first inning,” Kuper added, pointing to a double-play where first basemen John Mehalko threw the ball to catcher Chris Wade to complete it. “Those are the type of situations we have overcome so far this season.”

New Kent evens its record to 8-8 on the year.