The Kentridge Chargers were tasked with taking down a 3A state qualifying team in the Liberty Patriots in their first full game of the 2024 season.
Opening day serves as a sign of hope for what is to come for each and every team. If the game against Liberty was any sign for the Chargers, they are right where they want to be. Kentridge took down Liberty 7-3 on the backs of solid pitching and pesky at-bats March 12.
The contest against the Patriots initially didn’t go their way. After a one out single, the Kentridge defense let itself down, which seemed rare for the number of plays made after the first inning. The Patriots’ Jack Warren was able to score on back to back throwing errors made by the Chargers infielders to take a 1-0 lead.
But that was seemingly it for the negative plays made by the Chargers in the win. Kentridge immediately responded to tie the game in the following half inning with some luck of their own. Rylan Gullard got the Chargers going with a single and a stolen base, and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch.
Kentridge was able to separate in the top of the fourth inning. The first five batters of the inning reached base without recording an out. Gullard tied the game with his second hit of the day and Teegan O’Brien got his first hit and RBI en route to a 3-4 day at the dish.
After a lengthy break from the mound during the Charger four-run inning, Kentridge starter Dominic DesMarais sat down the Patriots in order, including two assists on comebackers. His night ended after throwing four innings, allowing just two hits, two unearned runs and a pair of strikeouts.
A big scare happened for the Chargers in the top of the fifth inning when Liberty’s Tyler Peschl popped up a ball into shallow right field where rightfielder Lucas Wilson and Ethan Sugimoto collided with each other. Both players appeared to be in some pain and Wilson was even taken to the hospital following the collision. Sugimoto stayed in for the remainder of the game after being checked out by Liberty training staff. Wilson left with a gash under his eye, and is believed to be okay, but will more than likely miss some time for the Chargers.
Kentridge got two more runs in the fifth inning on another O’Brien single and an Akoni Nazarino bases loaded walk to take the 7-3 lead.
Coming out of the bullpen, Riley Lambarena was just as good as DesMarais. Lambarena, after allowing a Texas League double in the fifth, didn’t allow another Patriot hit and allowed just one Patriot to reach base.
Outside of the first inning, Kentridge’s defense was flawless, especially at the shortstop position. Cardo del Fierro had seven assists in this game against Liberty. The sophomore showed a lot of promise in the field for the Chargers.
Kentridge will take on Auburn Mountainview March 15 as their non-league schedule continues.
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Akoni Nazarino celebrates after hitting a double against the Liberty Patriots. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Teegan O’Brien gets ready in the box at Liberty High School. Ben Ray / The Reporter
