Chamblee’s James Morton (top) and Robbie Berkman (bottom) combined for a no-hitter in a 7-2 Region 4-5A series opening win over the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions. (Photos by Mark Brock)
Chamblee Bulldog pitching duo James Morton and Robbie Berkman combined for a no-hitter to lead the Bulldogs to big 7-2 Region 4-5A series opening win over the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions at Chamblee on Monday night.
Morton started and went four innings to get the win overcoming a two-run second inning as his teammates rallied at the plate to score seven runs after falling behind.
Berkman came in and closed the door on the Lions (9-4, 6-3) striking out six consecutive batters over the sixth and seventh innings to close out the game for the Bulldogs (13-10, 8-2).
The Lions took advantage of a pair of Bulldog errors in the top of the second inning to go up 2-0 as Brandon Ray and Jordan Ford benefitted to score.
Chamblee cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the third as courtesy runner Cole Harrison scored on a wild pitch. King starter Patrick Frambrough after cutting down a second Bulldog runner trying to score on a wild pitch with a tag at the plate and a pair of fly balls to end the threat.
Houston Buck and Rashad Holmes opened the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back singles that would kick-off a six-run inning for the Bulldogs. Sam Scazzero walked to load the bases with one out and Sammy Heetderks reached on an error for the game-tying RBI for Chamblee which allowed Holmes to score.
Martin Luther King’s Donovyn Pinn attempts to bunt during the Lions’ two-run second inning. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Travis Sun drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in the go-ahead run to chase Frambrough. Cameron Cook came on in relief and got a popup for the second out of the inning. A walk to Cian Khajovi loaded the bases and Cooper Lewis followed with a big two-out, two-run single to blow the game open at 7-2.
Morton and Berkman set down the final Lions batters of the game to complete the no-hitter. Chamblee threatened to score in the bottom of the sixth, but the Lions cut down Harrison at the plate on a single by Joey David.
Travis Sunn finished the game 2-3 at the plate with two RBI and Joey David was also 2-3. Lewis added one hit and two RBIs for Chamblee.
The two teams continue the best-of-three series on Wednesday at Martin Luther King as the Lions are vying to tie up the series. The teams return to Chamblee on Thursday for the final game.