By James J. Lidington

COURTLAND

Isle of Wight Academy wrapped up an undefeated week with a 5-1 win Friday over Southampton Academy, returning to a .500 winning percentage for the first time since the season opener.

Andrew Holt was 2-for-4 with 4 RBI against the Raiders. Teammate Noah Colyer was 3-for-4, scoring twice, and Cole Praither was 2-for-4 with a run.

The Chargers broke open a close contest in the fifth inning. Conner Soady grounded to short and reached on an error, advancing to second base. After Praither flied out to center, Colyer singled to right, advancing Soady to third.

With one out, the Raiders elected to walk Boyce to get to Holt with the bases loaded. The Charger backstop responded with a single, scoring Colyer and Soady, and moving Boyce to second. With two down, Bryce Daniels singled on a line drive to center Scoring Boyce.

Starter Aidan Williams earned the win, pitching five innings, allowing two hits and a run, striking out six and walking five. Junior Tyler Watkins earned the save, pitching two hitless, scoreless innings, fanning one Southampton batter.

The Chargers began the week with a 3-1 win Monday, March 25, over traditional rival Atlantic Shores in IWA’s Metro Athletic Conference opener. They had not defeated the Seahawks since 2011.

Holt was 3-for-3 with 3 singles and 3 RBI.

Senior starting pitcher Hunter Hayden got the win, allowing a hit, a run, striking out one and walking five. Boyce earned a two-inning save, allowing only a hit and striking out one.

Holt also played a role in a key defensive sequence in the bottom of the first inning. With IWA leading 2-0 and after retiring Shores’ leadoff hitter, Hayden walked the next two Seahawk batters. After the cleanup hitter flied out to right, Hayden walked another batter to load the bases with two down.

Left-fielder Jacob Pantak grounded sharply to short, scoring Corbin McCloud. But Boyce came up throwing to Holt, nailing Diego Doran – the potential tying run – for the third out and earning the Seahawk DH an ejection for illegal contact with a defender in the baseline.

The Chargers have a busy week, hosting Brunswick Monday, Norfolk Collegiate Wednesday and Denbigh Baptist Christian on Friday. All games begin at 4:30 p.m.

JAMES J. LIDINGTON is a teacher at Isle of Wight Academy. He can be reached at 357-3866.