One swing of the bat changed the complexion of the game in Tuesday’s contest between the Sea Kings Varsity and the Edison Chargers. The Chargers came away 4-2 victors in a game where offense was at a premium, as both teams struggled to cluster multiple baserunners in any particular inning.
Edison loaded the bases in the top of the first inning, but came away scoreless. In the second inning, it was three consecutive singles that put the Chargers up 1-0 before a double play ended the inning.
The fourth inning began innocently enough, as the Chargers started the inning with a pair of ground outs. With two out, Edison lined back-to-back singles into the outfield. Then the big blow came as a three-run homer was deposited over the right field fence and the Chargers were up 4-0.
The Sea Kings battled back in the bottom of the fourth frame. The first three batters reached base with Stevie Jones (‘26) walking, William Chiechi (‘25) singling and JJ Haley (‘28) being hit by a pitch. One out later, Charlie Kaster (‘26) drew a walk to force in a run, followed by a Jack Phillips (‘28) ground out to score a second run. The Sea Kings had cut the lead in half, 4-2.
Edison put runners at second and third bases in the top of the seventh inning, but otherwise neither team produced much of a threat after the fourth inning.
Center fielder Brady Gadol (‘25), who is riding a five game hitting streak, led the Sea Kings with two hits in three at bats.
Jones, who has a five-game hitting streak of his own, reached base twice with a single and a walk, while also stealing a base.
Chiechi, who scored one of the Sea Kings’ runs, went one for two plus a walk on the day, and extended his on-base streak to four games.
When Kaster walked, one of his two walks on the day, to drive in a run in the fourth inning, he extended his on-base streak to five games.
Princeton-commit Vincent Menard (‘25) started on the mound for the Sea Kings and took the loss despite surrendering only one run in three innings pitched. His single to lead off the game for the Sea Kings stretched his on-base streak to six games.
The Sea Kings Varsity travels to Edison on Wednesday, April 23 to face the Chargers in game two of their three game series.