It was a night of comebacks that fell just short in both ends of last night's WCAC softball doubleheader between the Chargers and the Des Moines Christian Lions. The two teams split, with DMC taking the first game 6-4 and the Chargers hanging on to take the finale, 11-9.

Big first innings for the eventual winners in both games held up, but barely. The Lions scored five runs in the first inning of the initial game and added one in inning two before the Chargers were able to get on the board. After trailing 6-0, ACGC chipped away at the DMC lead, scoring one run each in innings three and four and adding two more in its last at bat to close the gap to the final of 6-4. The game ended with a Charger runner in scoring position.

The game opened with the Lion hitters crushing the ball in the first two innings, getting eight of their eleven hits in those initial frames. After that the Chargers pitching and defense both settled in and performed very well, with ACGC committing no errors for the game and Savana Fuller pitching five innings of shutout ball.

Down 6-0 heading into its third at bat, Jorja Hoover led off the inning with a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Sierra O'Brien also walked, Savana Fuller's sacrifice fly scored Hoover and the Chargers were on the board.

ACGC picked up a run in the fourth inning as well. Kylie Young coaxed a base on balls, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Tori Fuller's ground ball to shortstop.

The Chargers went down in order in both the fifth and sixth innings before picking up two runs in their final at bat. With two out, O'Brien and Fuller both walked, bringing Genevieve Fuller to the plate. The veteran third base person smacked a double to center field scoring both base runners. But that was all the Chargers could muster, as the game ended on a ground out. Still, after the DMC jack rabbit start, the Chargers played well enough to win--fell just short.

Four Chargers totaled five base hits for the game, with "G" Hoover leading the team with two. O'Brien, Jorja Hoover, and Madie Kelsey each had one base hits for the locals. Fuller went the distance in the circle, giving up twelve hits, while striking out four and walking no batters.

Game two resembled game one in that one team took a huge lead and then had to hang on to secure the win. The Chargers were considered the visitors in game two and opened the game like gang busters, scoring six runs in their first at bat. With one out, O'Brien, Savana Fuller, "G, and Madie Kelsey all reached based safely and eventually scored. After Kylie Young and Reese Coffman got on via a base on balls and a DMC error, Tori Fuller came up with the big hit of the inning--a double to right center field driving in two runs. 6-0 Chargers ofter one.

ACGC added three runs in the second inning on just one hit--O'Brien's infield hit. Lion pitching surrendered five walks in the inning, and O'Brien scored on a wild pitch. A 9-0 lead after three innings made Charger fans feel pretty comfortable, but there's a reason DMC is ranked thirteenth in class 3A--they don't quit.

Over innings two and three the Lions scored five runs to close the gap to 9-5. A big 6-3-5 double play for the Chargers involving Reese Coffman, Jadeyn Carrick, and "G" Hoover cut a Lion rally short. In this observer's opinion it was the defense play of the game and helped prevent what was becoming a big inning for the Lions.

The Chargers increased their lead to 11-5 in its fourth inning at bat when Young walked and Coffman reached base on an infield hit. After both runners advanced on a wild pitch, Tori Fuller again came through with a two RBI single to give the Chargers some breathing room at 11-5.

DMC chipped away at the Charger lead in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring one and two runs, making the score 11-8. This Charger fan was getting a little nervous, and I'm sure he wasn't the only one!

Inning number six. Lion shortstop Emma Veenstra led off the inning with her fourth consecutive hit of the game--a double--and eventually came around to score. It was the lone run of the inning for DMC, but the Lion deficit was just two runs at 11-9 with one more at bat.

Charger pitcher Savana Fuller would have none of it, as she put the Lions down on three fly balls to end the game and secure the win for the Chargers! A big win over a ranked team, leaving ACGC with a 2-1 record for the young season and a 1-1 mark in WCAC play.

The Chargers came up with seven hits, with O'Brien and Tori Fuller pacing the team with two hits each. Getting one hit were Kelsey, Savana Fuller, and Coffman. The younger Fuller had five RBI's for the game.

Jorja Hoover and Savana Fuller shared pitching duties, with Hoover going two innings, surrendering five runs on six hits. She neither walked nor struck out any DMC hitters. Fuller went the last five innings, giving up four runs on eight hits. She struck out one batter and walked none. Hoover was credited with the win.

After a break over the Memorial Day holiday the Chargers will be back in action next Tuesday, May 28 when they travel to Ogden to face the Bulldogs. The JV game is scheduled for 5:30 with the varsity game to follow. Go Chargers!

Game one score by inning: Game two score by inning:

DMC 510 000 0--6 12 1 ACGC 630 200 0--11 7 3

ACGC 001 100 2--4 5 0 DMC 032 121 0-- 9 14 4

Charger game one box score Charger game two box score

AB H R RBI AB H R RBI

JHoover 3 1 1 0 JHoover 2 0 0 0

O'Brien 2 1 1 0 O'Brien 4 2 2 0

SFuller 2 0 1 1 S Fuller 5 1 1 0

GHoover 4 2 0 2 GHoover 3 0 1 0

Kelsey 4 1 0 0 Kelsey 4 1 2 2

Carrick 3 0 0 0 Carrick 3 0 1 0

Young 2 0 1 0 Young 1 0 2 0

Coffman 2 0 0 0 Coffman 3 1 2 2

TFuller 2 0 0 1 T Fuller 3 2 0 5