By Kyle LoJacono
Chase Oliver and Matthew Severson did something never before accomplished by any teammates in the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association Majors baseball division.
The two 11 year olds combined to hit four home runs, more than any other teammates in the division’s five-year history. Chase hit three round trippers and Matthew added a grand slam in a 15-0 victory against the Rangers. Chase, a third baseman, went 3-3 at the plate with eight RBI, while Matthew, a pitcher and catcher, also went 3-3 with seven RBI and two doubles along with the homer.
“I can’t even explain what it was like,” said Chase, who attends Sand Pine Elementary. “The first one I didn’t think it was going out. I thought it would hit the fence, and I didn’t know it was a homer until my coach told me to keep running. The last two I knew were gone.”
After the game, Chase had four home runs on the year with a .470 batting average. For Matthew it was his first homer.
“I felt like it happened in just a second and then I was around the bases,” said Matthew, who attends Quail Hollow Elementary. “I was getting jealous of Chase hitting all the home runs, so I wanted to hit one myself.”
Matthew hit doubles with the bases loaded in his first two at bats, with Chase hitting three-run shots right after each. Matthew’s grand slam came in his third at bat and Chase following with a solo homer.
Matthew’s father, Jeff, coaches the team.
“It’s been a joy to watch them both become better players,” Jeff said. “They’ve played together with the WCAA Cowboys football team for a couple years, but they’ve never been on the same baseball team.”
Jeff said before this season, Chase never batted much higher than the .250s.
“I knew he had a lot of talent because he’s so athletic on the football field and he’s just blossomed this season,” Jeff said.
Matthew was the starting pitcher in the record setting game, going three innings without giving up a hit. The game ended after the fourth inning after the Athletics built a 15-run lead, so the game was also a no-hitter from the squad.
Jeff said the team struggled to start the season, dropping its first three games. The squad has rebounded to win its next four by a combined score of 56-3 thanks in part to the production of Chase and Matthew.
“We make a good team,” Matthew said. “The whole team is good.”
