The Charlestown Pirate Baseball team got their 2015 campaign off to a winning start Tuesday evening by defeating Plainfield 8-7.  The Plainfield Quakers, coming off a 3-2 loss earlier in the day to Jeffersonville; are an Indiana Class 4A high school from Hendricks County, 10 miles west of Indianapolis.  Plainfield jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning and would take that lead into the bottom of the 3rd.  Charlestown’s offense was sparked in the home half of the 3rd by a leadoff double down the left field line by Ryan Jones.  Dewey Cardwell would follow with a walk.  After advancing on a double steal, Tanner Wesp plated Jones and Cardwell with a 1 out single.  Following another single by Kelly Rider, Brady Hester delivered with a run scoring single with 2 outs to score Wesp.  The Pirates then took the lead on a single by Jason Houchens to score Atom Ward and Brady Hester.  Ward had come on as a courtesy runner for Rider, who was the starting pitcher for the Pirates.  Charlestown would add another run in the 4th inning on a 1 out double by Drew Reich, which scored Ryan Jones after Jones reached on a single and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cardwell.  The lead grew to 8-4 in the bottom of the 5th when Houchens and Jones scored after drawing walks and ultimately scoring on a couple of Plainfield errors.  Plainfield would add 3 runs in the top of the 6th inning to end the scoring on the night and the Pirates closed the door with a 1-2-3 in the 7th to get their first victory of the new campaign.  “I’m very pleased with our effort tonight.  It’s always nice to get off to a good start with a win.  Kelly threw the ball well tonight and our offense got timely hits.  All in all, it was a good opener to the season”, commented Pirates Head Coach Ricky Romans.  The Pirates are back in action on Friday night when they host Alexandria in the first round of the Silver Creek Invitational at Charlestown High School.  First pitch is scheduled for 5:00pm.

Charlestown Pirate Baseball Seniors, Ryan Jones (left seated center) and Drew Reich (right seated center) have signed to play NJCAA college baseball next school year for Owens College in Perrysburg, Ohio.  Ryan is joined by his family, including parents JR and Tisha Jones and Drew his family, including patents Andrew Reich and Jennifer Romans.  Both families are joined by Pirate Baseball Assistant Coach Brian Hester and Head Coach Ricky Romans (left to right standing) and Charlestown High School Athletic Director Chad Gilbert (seated left).

Drew has a current high school pitching record of 22 wins and 3 loses, and on a 22 game winning streak with an ERA of 2.50 and 185 strikeouts.  Owens College is currently recruiting Drew for a pitching position on their team.

Ryan currently, going into his senior year as a Pirate, holds a .394 batting average (99-251) just one hit shy of #100; including 17 doubles, 7 triples, 7 home runs, and 66 stolen bases.  Owens College is currently recruiting Ryan as an outfielder prospect.

” I am very proud of both of these guys.  They have worked extremely hard and deserve this opportunity.  I fully expect them to represent Owens and Coach Parisho’s baseball program with the same effort and attitude the way they have represented Charlestown High School and our baseball program”, commented Head Pirate skipper Romans after the signing ceremony.  Congratulations to both Ryan and Drew on pursuing Baseball at the next level and best of luck from Pirate Nation….Once a Pirate, ALWAYS A PIRATE!  For more information about Pirate Baseball, including the upcoming 2015 regular season schedules, go to www.PiratePride.BLUE/Baseball!

The annual Charlestown Pirate Baseball Chili Supper & Auction, to benefit the Pirate Baseball program, will be held this Saturday, February 28th at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.  Pleasant Ridge Church is located at 301 Gospel Road, just two block from Hwy. 403 in Charlestown.  The event will kick-off at 5:30 pm with a bowl of chili, dessert and drink for $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (10 and under).  $1 Hot Dogs will also be available.  Chili Supper tickets will be sold in advance and at the door on February 28^th.  After your chili dinner, take your chances on any of the auction items available for bid.  All proceeds from this event benefit the Charlestown High School Pirate Baseball program.

The 3rd Annual Charlestown Pirate Baseball Chili Supper & Auction will take place on Saturday, February 28th beginning at 5:30 pm.  The event will be held at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, located at 301 Gospel Road, just south of Highway 403.  For more information, please contact Coach Romans at 502-641-2883.