By Staff
Tim Cottrell
Play ball.
The Northview Chiefs and coach Chris Paulsen opened the season this week with wins over W.S. Neal High School and Pensacola High School.
"We lost eight seniors from last year who started," Paulsen said. "We're going to be young, but I think we can be very competitive. So far we've stepped up to the challenge."
Northview 2
W.S. Neal 1
The Chiefs opened the season Tuesday at home against the Blue Eagles of W.S. Neal.
The dramatic pitchers duel ended in a 2-1 Northview win.
"Our pitching did a great job," Paulsen said. "Greg Steadham pitched six innings for us and only gave up one hit. Jeremy Greenwell came in to get the save for us so they combined for a one-hitter."
Senior J.J. Cutler opened up the scoring for the Chiefs in the bottom of the first inning after reaching base on a walk. Three errors later Cutler crossed home plate to give the Chiefs a 1-0 lead.
W.S. Neal answered in the top of the second with a one-out home run by Jarred Cooper.
Sophomore Tyler Tucci led off the bottom of the third inning with a walk, and then stole second. After Sean Little reached base on an error, Tucci took third. A single by Travis Duncan scored Tucci, but Little was caught at third to end the inning. That run would prove to be the difference in the game.
Steadham continued to control the game, striking out 11 batters in his six innings of work, and Greenwell provided the save for the Chiefs.
Little went 1 for 3 with a double for the Chiefs. Cutler was hitless, but scored a run, Duncan was 1 for 3, Matt Reynolds was 1 for 2, and Tucci was 0 for 1 with a base on balls, a run scored, and a stolen base.
"There was a lot of room for improvement, offensively," Paulsen said. "We struck out 13 times."
Northview 9
Pensacola High School 6
The Chiefs traveled to Pensacola Thursday afternoon to face Pensacola High School.
In a game that was the polar opposite of the contest Tuesday afternoon, the Chiefs prevailed 9-6.
"We did much better swinging the bat," Paulsen said. "We had 10 hits as opposed to only three the game before."
Junior Philip Enfinger opened the scoring for the Chiefs by reaching on an error by the first baseman, and then taking second after an error by the pitcher. He later scored on a double by Matt Reynolds.
Brandon Walker and Sean Little led off the third inning with back-to-back singles, and after a J.J. Cutler ground out, Travis Duncan drove in both runs to give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead. Reynolds then continued the single barrage and was later driven in by Jordan Cook to give the Chiefs a commanding five-run lead.
PHS answered in the bottom of the third with two runs to cut the Chief lead to 5-2.
A four-run fourth by the Chiefs put the game out of reach.
Little was 3 for 5 with two doubles and two runs, Duncan was 1 for 3 with two runs, Enfinger was 0 for 3 with a run, Reynolds was 3 for 4 with a run and a triple, Cook was 1 for 3, Nick Angeles was 1 for 3 with two runs and a stolen base, and Walker was 1 for 4 with a run scored.
Reynolds pitched five innings, allowing four runs and seven hits. Cutler pitched the final two innings in relief, allowing two runs and three hits.
The Chiefs will travel to East Brewton Friday to take on the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles.