The Hargrave Tigers opened up their season on Monday afternoon from Fuller Field as they hosted the Carlisle Chiefs. Hargrave battled but ultimately fell 15-5.
It was a beautiful afternoon for baseball in Chatham as the Tigers took the field in a debut for many of this team’s young core. Head Coach Frank Thomas ’87 was fired up to get his group on the field after their entire season was canceled last spring due to the coronavirus pandemic. After giving up two quick runs in the top of the first, Hargrave battled back after a pair of infield hits from Burke Beales ’21 (Richmond, VA) and Aidan Allen ’22 (Goochland, VA), sophomore Tyler Ziegler (Spring, TX) stepped in and crushed a line drive to left center plating Beales. 8th Grader Dean Friedburg (Virginia Beach, VA) came up swinging and drove in the second run for the Tigers with a double.
Despite gutsy pitching performances from Allen and Friedburg, Carlisle’s offensive firepower proved too much to handle as Carlisle built up an 8-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 4th inning. Hargrave was able to load the bases capped off with an incredible bunt down the third base line from Teddy Hoffman ’25 (Boca Raton, FL) and the top of the order led by Beales, Allen, and Ziegler were able to plate three runs and cut the Carlisle deficit to 8-5.
Carlisle tacked on 7 more runs in the 5th and 6th innings which eventually led to the final score of 15-5. Hargrave battled in their season opener and showed plenty of promise and a strong foundation to build on throughout the rest of the season.
The Tigers are back in action on Tuesday March 23rd as they head to Roanoke, VA to take on North Cross. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM.
