When the Chargers meet the Longhorns on the fastpitch diamond, things tend to get heated.

The schools are both ultra-competitive and Jones is always a worthy opponent that challenges Heritage Hall. On this night, the teams would add another epic battle to the series – and head coach Sierra Thorp's Chargers would come out as the victors.

Heritage Hall scored broke the scoreless deadlock in the third inning to seize a 1-0 lead. Reagan Creamer led off the inning with a single on a line drive to left-field. Then, on a 3-1 count, the speedy centerfielder swiped second base. Pitcher Addi Thompson came to the plate and crushed a liner to left that brought Creamer around for the score.

Speaking of Thompson, she was on fire in the circle from the first pitch. The freshman phenom struck out a school single-game record 27 batters on 169 pitches, while only allowing 2 hits and 1 earned run. As the game wore on and the strikeouts continued to mount, Thompson eclipsed the single season strikeout mark, a record previously held by Kyann Woods '21 with 122 in the 2017 season (also her freshman year).

The Longhorns were able to even the score in the bottom of the sixth inning. Thompson walked the leadoff batter. A grounder to first baseman Charlie Zeigler was the second out of the inning, but the Longhorn runner advanced to second base on the play. The next batter singled to right field and brought home the equalizing run.

In the bottom of the tenth inning, the Longhorns got a runner on base. However, strong-armed catcher Kendall Beres gunned down the base-hungry runner attempting to steal second. Then Thompson recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

In the top of the thirteenth inning, Thompson singled to lead things off. Beres grounded out, but advanced Thompson to second base. Emilee Chard reached first base on a Jones error that also allowed Thompson to safely stand on third base. Chard stole second base on the next pitch. After a strikeout, Ela Gary came to the plate and hit a grounder to the Longhorn third baseman who made an error that allowed Gary to reach first safely and Thompson to score the go ahead run.

With 26 strikeouts already under her belt, Thompson stepped back into the circle to close out the complete game. Jones tried to play small ball, but bunted out on consecutive plays, to Charger third baseman Emilee Chard, and then to Thompson. Facing the final out, Thompson only needed three pitches to fan the last-hope Longhorn and the Chargers mobbed the pitcher to celebrate a hard-earned victory in 13 innings.

Impessively, Jones' starting pitcher also hurled all 13 innings and struck out 23 Chargers on 217 pitches, but allowing 9 hits.

Thompson went 3 of 5 at the dish, with 2 doubles and a run batted in. Creamer and Zeigler were both 2 of 6 at the plate. Chard and Gary each singled. The Hall was aggressive on the basepaths, stealing 6 based without getting caught (Creamer 2, Zeigler 2, Chard, Thompson). 

The Chargers defense was stellar behind Thompson, committing zero errors on 14 balls put in play by Jones. While the freshman was definitely in the spotlight on this record-setting night, this victory was a complete team effort that players and coaches will remember as one of their best performances for a long time to come.

The win moved Heritage Hall past Jones into 5th place in District 3A-3, as they improve to 8-10 overall on the season. Up next for the Chargers is a home rematch with the Luther Lions, whom they beat at Luther (7-4 in 9 innings) back on Opening Day. The Chargers will have important District contests at North Rock Creek (Saturday, September 17; doubleheader) and versus Crossings on Monday, September 19th.

This team is catching fire at the right time of year and the stage is set for a big playoff push. Onward, Chargers!