Ugly is ugly, but a win is a win….the measure the Pirates found themselves feeling after bettering Madison by one run in a non-conference clash Tuesday evening at Charlestown High School.  Regardless, the tenth ranked Pirates (10-3) found the way to get it done in the bottom of sixth and seventh innings, in a game with 25 total hits and 9 total errors.  Austin Smith got the win in relief from the mound in three innings.  Charlestown led Madison 6-4 after four innings completed, before both teams poured on the runs in the fifth; as the Pirates plated five and the Cubs six for a 11-10 score.  Madison scored two more runs in the top of the sixth to take a one run lead before the Pirates plated one in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score, hold Madison (2-8) in the top of the seventh, then score the winning run in the bottom of seventh for the 13 – 12 final score.  Austin Smith is now 4-0 after strikiing out five Madison batters in the final three innings of the game.  Ryan Jones finished 3-4, with 3 Runs, and a RBI.  Dewey Cardwell went 2-5 at the plate but knocked in four runs, and Atom Ward fiinished 2-2, with 2 Runs and a RBI.  “Tonight was just an old fashioned slugfest.  Neither team played great and our defense and pitching was just horrendous.  After all that, somehow we found a way to win”, commented Pirate Head Coach Ricky Romans.  For lack of better words…the upcoming nine days of games are crazy for the #10 3A Pirates.  Charlestown will host Clarksville Thursday, a team that represents a very important conference clash; then travel to Class 4A #2 Floyd Central on Friday, then to Class 3A #5 and arch-rival Silver Creek Monday, before hosting Class 2A #10 Austin next Thursday.  If these games won’t prepare the Pirates for post season play, nothing will on area schedules.  Don’t miss a chance to watch these talented young men play baseball for PirateNation.

The Pirate Baseball team traveled to North Harrison for an important conference battle, as both teams came into the game undefeated in conference play.  The Pirates (9-3 & 4-0 MSC) posted three runs in the first the and held the Cougars to two runs for the 3-2 win.  The Cougars scored their two runs in the fifth inning of play, but it wasn’t enough.  Kelly Rider pitched the complete game, finishing with eight strikeouts, four hits and the win.  “Kelly threw a great game tonight and battled through a lot of adversity. He was sharp and competed tonight”, commented Head Coach Ricky Romans after the contest.  North Harrison (10-3 & 3-1 MSC) had four hits and one error on the evening.  Pirate Tanner Wesp finished two for four at the plate while Pirate Colin Martin finished two for three and two RBIs.  Charlestown will host Madison on Tuesday, April 28th beginning at 5:30 pm.

The Charlestown Pirate Baseball team hosted Scottsburg in Mid-Southern Conference play Thursday night.  The Pirates dominated the Warriors 11-1 and the Junior Varsity as well, 17-3.  More to follow…

The Charlestown Pirate Baseball team traveled to Bedford-North Lawrence High School Tuesday evening for a non-conference clash with the Class 4A #4 Stars.  The Pirates had to rally to win, however defeated the host Stars 9-8 after two big multi-run home runs by Ryan Jones and Tanner Wesp.  Ryan Jones’ homer came in the third and Wesp’s in the sixth when the score was tied at six.  Wesp’s home run lifted the Pirates to a 9-6 lead, who then held Bedford to a run in the bottom of the sixth and one in the seventh for the win.  Kelly Rider got the win from the mound in a little over five innings.  Jones finished the game 4 for 4 and Devon Krueger 3 for 4 at the plate.  “We wanted to play good ball and see where that put us…..we’re excited to leave here (BNL) with a victory”, commented Pirate Head Coach Ricky Romans.  The Pirate JV team will play at New Albany Wednesday evening and both Varsity and JV will host Scottsburg on Thursday.

Senior Pitcher Drew Reich allowed only three hits, rung up six, and walked one to improve to 2-0 on the season from the mound.  Charlestown dominated Corydon (4-2 & 0-2 MSC) Wednesday night scoring eleven runs on eleven hits and one error to stay the course in conference play.  After a scoreless first, the Pirates (5-1 & 2-0 MSC) outscored the visitors 5-1 in the second to land the first punch.  The knock-out blow came in the bottom of the fourth with a Charlestown four run inning to make it 10-1.  Tanner Wesp finished the game three of four from the plate, including a double and a RBI; while Atom Ward finished a perfect three for three at the plate, including a double and three RBI’s.  Coach Ricky Romans, after the game commented, “I’m proud of the guys effort tonight.  We played an all around good game.  It’s also exciting to see guys step up tonight like Atom Ward.  He did a super job at the plate and gained some valuable confidence.  Overall a great night.”  The Pirates will next host Jeffersonville on Friday, with a 5:00 pm JV first pitch and 7:00 pm Varsity first pitch.

Charlestown Pirate Baseball traveled to Pekin-Eastern Monday evening for a MSC match up with the Musketeers.  The Pirates hit the ball early and often, eight Charlestown batters had multiple hits, including a new single game hit record set by Drew Reich.  Drew finished the game 6-7, 5 runs and 7 RBI’s.  Austin Smith got the win from the mound, pitching four innings, allowing four hits, one earned run and ten strikeouts.  “We had some guys step in today and capitalize on some opportunities with some extensive playing time. Conditions weren’t great with the weather for either team”, commented Coach Ricky Romans.  The Pirates improved their record to 4-1 & 1-0 MSC, and will host Corydon Central on Thursday.  Eastern dropped to 0-3 & 0-1 MSC.

Charlestown Pirate Baseball moved to 3-1 on the season after road wins at Lanesville (1-2) on Friday night and at Providence on Saturday evening.  Charlestown defeated Lanesville 7-1 behind the pitching of Drew Reich; who got the win from the mound.  Reich stuck out nine batters, allowed one hit, and one earned run within five innings.  The Pirate offense contributed 10 hits; including a Tanner Wesp finishing three for four at the plate, four RBI’s and a home run.  “Drew looked sharp in his first time on the mound this season and Tanner did a great hob for us offensively.  Most importantly, our defense was sound and we played good fundamental baseball” commented Pirate Skipper Ricky Romans.

The Pirates traveled to Providence (4-3) Saturday and got a 10-9 victory, using a big innings in the 5th and 7th to squeeze past the home standing Pioneers.  Colin Martin got the win from the mound while Ryan Jones finished 3 of 4 from the plate and Jason Houchens hit a three run double during the top of the 7th inning.  The Pirates finished the game with 10 hits and three errors.  “Sure wasn’t pretty tonight but we showed a lot of effort continuing to battle all night. Very proud of the way our guys hung in there and it’s great to see guys step up when needed in big moments”, commented Coach Romans on the victory.  The Pirates travel to MSC rival Eastern on Monday.