On Friday the team opened the Third Annual Skyrocket Invitational against the Braves from Troy. The Braves started strong and by the fifth inning the Chargers found themselves down 7-2. The Chargers came roaring back to score six runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Victor Arribas, Nick Deeg, Mike Sewell and Justin Stross drove in runs to put the Chargers ahead. Pitcher Adam Harvey came in and shut down the Troy run attack to get the win. Sewell came in to close out the game that ended 8-7, Chargers.
Saturday morning found the Chargers team facing Thorn Apple Valley from Grand Rapids. Pitcher Deeg scattered four runs over five innings, while striking out five in a mercy victory. He also contributed with two hits and three runs scored. Harvey had three hits and Shane Stockwell and Dan Pillivant each had two hits and scored a run. Tom Miracle scored three runs and played a solid center field, leading a defense that turned two double plays.
The Chargers found themselves pitted against the Troy Braves with Miracle on the hill. The home team (Chargers) did all their scoring in the third and fourth innings, tallying a total of five runs. Pillivant and Sewell both had two hits and an RBI. Miracle scored two of the five runs with his speed on the base path. Deeg and Kevin Imber also delivered RBI’s, as the Chargers won 5-3.
In the second game against Thorn Apple Valley, the team from Grand Rapids came out with a flurry, putting up three in the first inning. The Chargers came right back and matched the first inning production. Pitcher Connor Hopkins, had a double and scored two runs. Arribas had a hit and scored twice. Deeg had 2 doubles, an RBI and scored. The game was tied 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh inning with a man on and two outs. Jon Rupe came to plate and drove a shot to the right center gap, scoring Miracle for the came winner. Sewell pitched his way to the win, limiting Thorn Apple Valley’s scoring in the last two innings.
In the Championship Game, the 13U Chargers met a strong Stealth Team from Grand Blanc. The Chargers struck first. Hopkins drove in Deeg who had singled. The Stealth answered back in a hurry, posting four in the first. Adam Harvey scored for the Chargers on a past ball in the fourth inning, sliding in under a tag. Stockwell pitched and held the Stealth to only three more runs the rest of the game, while striking out five hitters. Deeg singled again, scoring Stockwell who had walked and stolen second and third base. The Chargers ended up losing 7-3 in seven innings.
The 13U Chargers are currently challenging for the NOBF (North Oakland Baseball Federation) title. They hope to be playing for their divisional championship this week, finishing as one of the top 13-year-old teams in the league.