(Chantilly, VA) – Chantilly defeated the Mount Vernon Majors 5-3 in the opening round of the Northern Region baseball tournament Friday night in a match-up of the Concorde District’s #1 seed and the #4 seed from the National District. 

 

Mount Vernon jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning on a walk to the Majors’ second baseman Phil Bryant, a ground single to the left side by first baseman Zack Quigley, and an RBI base hit to right by third baseman Andrew Sable. The Chargers came right back in their half of the frame with a lead-off single to right by centerfielder Chris Gentile and an RBI double to deep right center by catcher Keith Morrisroe. Chantilly pulled ahead 3-1 in the 3^rd inning after a walk to third baseman Max Langford, a single to right by Morrisroe, and a single by left fielder Patrick Moore to load the bases. Shortstop Chris Yates then plated a run with a ground ball to short that forced Moore at second base, and Morrisroe scored on a throwing error by the second baseman trying to turn the double play. Mount Vernon got a run back in the top of the 4^th on a lead-off single by Sable, who advanced to second base on a ground out, and a grounder past the drawn-in third baseman by center fielder Vinny Marciano. Chantilly’s starting pitcher, Patrick Somers, shut down the Majors in the 5^th and 6^th innings, striking out the side in his final frame. 

               

The Chargers scored two insurance runs in the 6^th inning, as shortstop Yates led off with a line single to left and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by first baseman Brian King. Designated hitter Brandon Beckner reached on an infield base hit to deep short, and Mount Vernon’s starting pitcher Basil Badley then loaded the bases with a walk to right fielder Justin Carwile. Pinch hitter Will Christopher followed with a sharp ground ball to the third baseman, who tried to get the force out at home, but the ball was dropped by the catcher, allowing Yates to score. Center fielder Chris Gentile then drove in Beckner with a base hit up the middle to put Chantilly up 5-2. The Majors strung together two base hits and a stolen base in the 7^th to close the final margin to 5-3.  

 

Chantilly was led at the plate by Chris Gentile and Keith Morrisroe, who each were 2 for 4 with RBIs. Chris Yates was 1 for 3 with an RBI, and Patrick Moore and Brandon Beckner contributed base hits. The Chargers’ Patrick Somers went 6 innings for the win, scattering 7 hits, walking 3, giving up 2 earned runs and striking out 6. Right-hander Chris Yates picked up the save pitching the 7^th, giving up a run on two hits and striking out 2.  

 

The game featured two Pitchers of the Year from their respective Districts in Mount Vernon’s Basil Badley and Chantilly’s Patrick Somers, and eight All-Region and All-District players among the two teams.   With the victory the Chargers advance to the Northern Region quarterfinals against South County on Monday at 4 pm at Robinson high school. South County defeated Madison Friday 12-8. The Chargers are now 16-6 overall and finished 11-3 as Concorde District champions.