Edison Community College Chargers ...
Edison Picks Up Win Over BGSU
Chargers back on baseball diamond for first time in 20 years
By Chris Ballard 

March 25, 2012 

On Thursday afternoon, for the first time in more than 20 years, the Edison Community College Chargers took to the baseball diamond. While great weather surrounded the field and fans filled in, the team was getting ready for what was already an historical game, which only got more historic as the game would play out. 

The Chargers hosted Bowling Green State University for the first of two games between the two teams this season. The Falcons entered the game nationally ranked 18th in the NCBA (National Club Baseball Association). 

“Every time we step onto the field, these gentleman are reminded they are writing history,” said Thomas Martinez, the team’s manager. “This team is all about doing the work necessary to lay down a solid historic base.” 

The Falcons’ Kyle MacDonald reached first on a bunt down the third base line to start off the first inning. He would eventually score after a bobbled grounded pitch allowed shortstop Kyle Melchert to reach first. The Falcons would hold onto a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the second inning. 

Edison left fielder Terry Perkins singled to right field with one out, and moved on to second following a balk. A single up the middle by Matt Kiehl moved Perkins to third, setting up pitcher John Monroe who drove a ball deep to right field for a three-run home run. 

The Chargers would add one more in the second inning after an error by Falcon outfielder Jeff Huffman on a pop fly by Charger right fielder allowed center fielder Alex Monin to score from second. 

The Falcons were able to chip away at the Chargers’ lead, tying the game at 5-5 in the fifth inning, when Edison catcher Joseph Gordon hit a solo shot over the left field fence to put the game at 6-5. 

Bowling Green battled right back, putting together a short two-out rally in the sixth inning to give the Falcons a 7-6 lead. 

The lead would be short lived. The Chargers responded with a five-run effort in the bottom of the sixth inning that included ten trips to the plate, giving Edison a commanding 11-7 lead. 

Edison’s Monroe would slam the door on the Falcons, shutting them out for the remaining three innings. Monroe threw a complete game, going nine innings on 138 pitches and led the Chargers with four RBI. 

“I thought about taking John out in the seventh when he was struggling, but every time he battled back,” said Martinez. “In the eighth inning no runners got past second, and in the ninth, he threw the least pitches of any inning of the game with just five, getting all three outs with ground balls.” 

The Chargers will face the Falcons for their next game at home on Thursday, March 29, at 3 p.m. 

Martinez is hoping that the Chargers can continue to build on the success of the program’s first victory in 20 years. 

“The team wasn’t perfect but they didn’t get rattled. They played fundamentally sound,” he said. “They have practiced so hard and so much that they looked as if they were on autopilot after they got past the first inning jitters.” 

The Box Score 

Falcons            101      212      000      7 13 3

Chargers          041      015      00X     11 11 1