By By Matthew Nascone
Chiefs baseball sandwiches two losses in between two wins
The first batter faced may have taken Northview Chiefs' starting pitcher Trent Freeman deep, but the Chiefs battled back and put out their best offensive performance of the young season Thursday night in Bratt, Fla.
"I thought we looked a lot better offensively," NHS head coach Sid Wheatley said. "We were able to get some clutch hits and score some runs."
The Chiefs (2-2) compiled nine runs on 10 hits en route to a 9-4 victory. Freeman (1-0) threw 6 1/3 innings for the win. He allowed only two hits, struck out five batters and walked five.
"Trent had one shaky inning, but he pitched well for us," Wheatley said. "He was getting the plays made behind him as well. I thought it was a solid defensive game for us."
That "shaky inning" came in the fourth inning after NHS had built a 6-1 lead. Freeman walked three batters and Woodham scored three runs in the inning, to tighten the NHS lead to 6-4, but the Chiefs widened the lead and Freeman held Woodham hitless for the rest of the game for the win.
Jeff Price pitched the final 2/3 of an inning in relief of Freeman.
On the offensive side, Brandon Walker and Price both went 3-for-4 at the plate. Walker had three runs scored and four RBIs and Price had a double, one run scored and one RBI. Freeman was 2-for-3 with a double and Sean Little went 2-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and one RBI.
"Overall it was a good performance for us," Wheatley said.
St. Paul's 5 – Chiefs 4
In a close game between the Chiefs and St. Paul's Episcopal School last Monday, the Chiefs were edged 5-4.
"We had a couple of opportunities early in the ball game," Wheatley said. "But we left the bases loaded at least once and we could not capitalize on those opportunities."
Even without coming through with the bases loaded, the Chiefs were still able to take a lead into the seventh inning, but Wheatley said St. Paul's found a way to win.
"We were up in the seventh and all we needed were those three outs, but we were not able to get them," he said.
Jeff Price started the game and went 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out four batters. Sean Little (0-1) was saddled with the loss, pitching two innings in relief of Price. He allowed two runs on two hits, struck out two batters and walked two.
Trent Freeman pitched the final 2/3 of an inning.
The Chiefs managed five hits and Jesse Hayes, Trent Freeman, Jared Simpson, Ryan Chason and Brandon Walker each had one hit. Hayes, Freeman, Walker and Price each scored one run and Freeman had one RBI.
West Florida 10 – Chiefs 3
The Chiefs were not able to muster many runs or hits against West Florida Feb. 16, losing 10-3 on the road.
"West Florida got off to a real good start, scoring seven runs in the first two innings and we could never mount a comeback," Wheatley said. "We just can't give out free passes and be put in catch-up mode so early."
Jesse Hayes (0-1) took the loss for Northview.
Chiefs 6 – Milton 4
The season opened with a win for the Chiefs Feb. 15 on their home diamond. They took down Milton High School, 6-4.
Northview jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the early innings of the game, but Milton rallied for four runs and a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning. The Chiefs stormed back in the sixth inning with a five-run inning to grab the lead back.
"We were down 4-1 in the sixth and our bats came alive and we scored five in that inning," Wheatley said.
Jeff Price (1-0) threw six innings for the win. He allowed four runs on four hits, struck out four batters and walked none.
"Jeff did a good job for us," Wheatley said. "And it was great to get that win in the first game of the season."
Brett Hanks pitched the seventh inning for the save, allowing no runs on no hits.
Offensively, Sean Little and Price went 2-for-3 at the plate. Little had a double and two runs scored and Price had one run scored and one RBI. Matt Walker, Jesse Hayes, Trent Freeman and Tyler Tucci each recorded one hit for NHS. Walker had one run scored and one RBI and Freeman registered a double and one RBI.
The Chiefs traveled to South Walton for their district opener Friday and the results will be in an upcoming Advance. The team's next game is Tuesday at Bayside Academy and the first pitch is slotted for 4 p.m.
Lady Chiefs win season opener against Baker in grand fashion
The opening game of the season can be important to a team's confidence level and the Northview Lady Chiefs softball team boosted their own confidence Thursday night with a 6-0 drubbing of the Baker Lady Gators.
But the game was not without its bumps and bruises for the Lady Chiefs.
"We were in a jam in the second inning, with the bases loaded, but we were fortunate their girl hit a line drive right at Nikki Crabtree and she caught it for the third out of the inning," NHS head coach Stephanie Elowsky said.
And the Lady Chiefs capitalized on Baker's missed opportunity by adding to their 1-0 lead with three runs in the third inning. The Lady Chiefs added two more insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings for the final of 6-0.
Caitlin Spence opened the season with a complete game shutout on the mound and struck out five batters while walking one in her season debut.
"Caitlin pitched well out there and she worked ahead in the count," Elowsky said. "She never let up on the other team."
Elowsky was proud of the effort put forth by her team.
"Overall, I am very proud of all the girls," she said. "Defensively we were solid and it was a great first game for us. We were fortunate to get a quality win against a good team."
Offensively, Jill Kelley and Spence both went 1-for-3. Kelley scored one run and had one RBI and Spence scored three runs. Kasey Baggett was 1-for-1 with an RBI, Misty Lord went 1-for-2 with one run scored and Briana Halteman scored one run.
The Lady Chiefs opened district play Friday at South Walton and results will be in an upcoming Advance. The team's next game is scheduled for Tuesday at home against Woodham at 4 p.m.