<b>Coach:</b> Kevin Ford, third season (21-22)
<b>2007 Record:</b> 13-9
<b>Key Losses:</b> SS Brian Volkmann, CF Austin Morris, OF/2B Andrew Ofana.
<b>Key Players:</b> C Keith Morrisroe, SR; P Pat Somers, SR; P/SS Chris Yates, SR; P/3B Max Langford, SR.
<b>Quotable: </b>“Anytime that you have three senior pitchers coming back that did the bulk of your pitching last year and had some success is a good feeling.” – Chantilly head coach Kevin Ford.
<b>Outlook:</b> After their most successful season in seven years, the Chantilly Chargers return with one of the most well-rounded and experienced pitching staffs in the district. Seniors Pat Somers (2.05 ERA), Chris Yates (3.18 ERA) and Max Langford (1.81 ERA), who have all signed to play Div. I college ball next year, will anchor the Chantilly staff.
“Our pitching is definitely the strongest part of our team,” said head coach Kevin Ford. “We should be able to keep ourselves in games by getting good performances on the mound.”
While most teams use the beginning of the season to finalize their pitching staff, the Chargers’ staff comes ready-made.
“Early in the year, the pitching is ahead of the hitting. Anytime that you have three senior pitchers coming back that did the bulk of your pitching last year and had some success is a good feeling,” said Ford. “I would think that early in the season, that will put us ahead of some people.”
Returning senior Keith Morrisroe will not only fill out the Chargers’ experienced battery behind the plate, but he will also lead the Chantilly offense. Morrisroe hit .377 with 12 RBI for the Chargers last year.
“[Morrisroe] does such a good job of having an idea of what he wants to do when he steps up to the plate. He executes in situations,” said Ford. “He is our best guy in having an idea what to do up there at the plate.”
It’s that execution that Ford hopes will keep the Chargers in games this season.
“I do not see us banging the ball out of the park, but we are certainly capable of putting up some runs by executing and taking advantage of opportunities,” said Ford. “If we can give five or six runs, we will be in pretty good shape.”