Varsity Baseball: Chantilly 6, Oakton 5

Chantilly junior John Colella went 1 2/3 innings in relief during the Chargers' 6-5 victory at Oakton on Monday.

By Jimmy Thomas
Content Editor, DigitalSports.com

**Check below the story for complete video highlights from Mondays game**

Chantilly pulled even with Oakton atop of the Concorde District standings Monday night after defeating the host Cougars, 6-5, and spoiling their Senior Night festivities.

Oakton got on the board first by getting three consecutive singles to start the game from seniors Keith Werman, Connor Madden and Kevin Wager. Senior Bret Williams doubled later in the inning to give the Cougars a 2-run lead after one.

After a shaky first inning Charger junior hurler Jordan Johnson was perfect for the next three innings, not allowing a hit while striking out five.

But offensively, Chantilly needed one trip through the batting order to gets their bats going. Then, in the third inning, senior leadoff batter Chris Gentile, in his second at-bat, hit a two-out, solo home run. As he crossed home plate, Gentile yelled "Lets Go! Lets Go!" to his awaiting teammates.

And go is exactly what the Chargers did. Chantilly posted three more runs the following inning when junior Brian King hit a three-run, home run that scored seniors Patrick Moore and Chris Yates, both of whom reached on a base hit.

"He has just recently made a few adjustments and has really started pounding the ball," Chantilly Coach Kevin Ford said. "He has been working so hard, he has just let it come and let his ability take over. We hope to keep him going in that way."

King picked up another RBI the following inning on a single as the Chargers took a 6-1 lead into the bottom half of the fifth inning.

That's when Oakton posted a valiant rally. After a walk and a hit batter, Madden and Wager recorded back-to-back hits to score three and close the gap to 6-5 before Chantilly relief pitcher John Colella entered to end the threat.

Colella pitched a scoreless sixth inning before giving way to Yates, who was also perfect in the seventh to earn the save.

Both teams have one game remaining in district play before the post-season begins. Chantilly will host Westfield on Wednesday while Oakton travels to Robinson. The Concorde District Tournament is set to begin May 12.

                 1   2   3   4   5   6   7 -- F
Chantilly    0   0   1   3   2   0   0 -- 6
Oakton      2   0   0   0   3   0   0 -- 5

Homeruns: Chantilly 2 (Gentile, King).

VARSITY BASEBALL: CHANTILLY 6, OAKTON 5

Chantilly Pulls Even With Oakton in the Concorde District Standings After a 6-5 Victory on Monday

Published: 05/05/2008


VARSITY BASEBALL: CHANTILLY 6, OAKTON 5 Chantilly Pulls Even With Oakton in the Concorde District Standings After a 6-5 Victory on Monday Published: 05/05/2008 Chantilly junior John Colella went 1 2/3 innings in relief during the Chargers' 6-5 victory at Oakton on Monday. By Jimmy Thomas Content Editor, DigitalSports.com Check below the story for complete video highlights from Mondays game Chantilly pulled even with Oakton atop of the Concorde District standings Monday night after defeating the host Cougars, 6-5, and spoiling their Senior Night festivities. Oakton got on the board first by getting three consecutive singles to start the game from seniors Keith Werman, Connor Madden and Kevin Wager. Senior Bret Williams doubled later in the inning to give the Cougars a 2-run lead after one. After a shaky first inning Charger junior hurler Jordan Johnson was perfect for the next three innings, not allowing a hit while striking out five. But offensively, Chantilly needed one trip through the batting order to gets their bats going. Then, in the third inning, senior leadoff batter Chris Gentile, in his second at-bat, hit a two-out, solo home run. As he crossed home plate, Gentile yelled "Lets Go! Lets Go!" to his awaiting teammates. And go is exactly what the Chargers did. Chantilly posted three more runs the following inning when junior Brian King hit a three-run, home run that scored seniors Patrick Moore and Chris Yates, both of whom reached on a base hit. "He has just recently made a few adjustments and has really started pounding the ball," Chantilly Coach Kevin Ford said. "He has been working so hard, he has just let it come and let his ability take over. We hope to keep him going in that way." King picked up another RBI the following inning on a single as the Chargers took a 6-1 lead into the bottom half of the fifth inning. That's when Oakton posted a valiant rally. After a walk and a hit batter, Madden and Wager recorded back-to-back hits to score three and close the gap to 6-5 before Chantilly relief pitcher John Colella entered to end the threat. Colella pitched a scoreless sixth inning before giving way to Yates, who was also perfect in the seventh to earn the save. Both teams have one game remaining in district play before the post-season begins. Chantilly will host Westfield on Wednesday while Oakton travels to Robinson. The Concorde District Tournament is set to begin May 12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F Chantilly 0 0 1 3 2 0 0 -- 6 Oakton 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 -- 5 Homeruns: Chantilly 2 (Gentile, King).
PHOTOS (click here for all photos)