SINTON – Champion almost run-ruled La Joya Palmview Thurday in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.
The Chargers took the series opener, 10-1, and were up 8-0 before the Lobos scored their only run of the game in the fifth.
Brody Bendele hit a two-run homer in the second and almost had another after a hit in the fifth frame bounced off the wall and produced a double.
Charger pitcher Ethan Coleman picked up the win and only gave up 3 hits and 1 run on 95 pitches. Blake Ott closed it out in the seventh to seal the victory.
Game 2 is 4 p.m. on Friday, and a third game, if needed, will follow.
NOTES: Thursday’s win is also career win No. 200 for Chargers head coach Ben Woodchick.
