Charles City scores 15 straight runs to earn first victory of season

Charles City’s Sherod Barnes (4) slides into home plate safely after a passed ball as King & Queen’s Logan Marshall tries to avoid contact after making a leaping catch.

Robb Johnson photo

A fresh recharge seemed to be the solution for Charles City High School’s baseball team as they searched for their first win of the year. But it didn’t easy.

After surrendering the first five runs of the contest, the Panthers scored the next 15 en route to a 15-5 mercy rule victory over the King & Queen Tigers in the Tidewater District contest.

Early on, the visitors rattled Panthers starting pitcher Justin Post-Parada. King & Queen tacked on three innings in the top of the first, followed by two in the top of the second. But that would be the last time the Tigers strolled across home plate.

Charles City’s scoring started with Bryan Lewis Jr.’s double to bring home teammate Randy Brown Jr. Lewis would cross the home plate on passed balls. Sherod Barnes’ double later in the inning brought home Gavin Stewart and William Zuidema IV. More runs continued as Charles City batted around in the bottom the second, with Mitchell Whitehead’s RBI single capping off 12 runs for the Panthers in the frame.

Meanwhile, Post-Parada settled down on the mound, with teammate Carson Menefee coming in to close out the game. Charles City would implement the 10-run mercy rule victory after Lewis strolled across home plate on another passed ball.

After the contest, Charles City Head Coach Michael Logan spoke about his team’s determination during Spring Break.

“We had a good week of practice, and we just have to work,” he said. “The guys are looking to turn the season around.

“We have to go with the hot hand at pitching right now and with us only having a three-deep rotation, we will continue to figure it out as we go,” Logan concluded.

Charles City improves to 1-5 on the season.