The Central High School junior varsity (JV) baseball team had ups and downs through its first eight games of the 2017 season, emerging from the pre-spring break stretch of the year with an overall record of 4-4.

On Friday, the Chargers fell 12-2 to host Amelia County High School’s JV team in what Central Head Coach Mike McGrath described as “not our best game,” adding that the weather was a factor.

Reviewing the Chargers’ season thus far, McGrath said they beat good teams from Bluestone High School and William Campbell High School but had poor performances against Amelia and Nottoway High School.

Central has endured tough losses, including a 17-6 home loss to Goochland High School on April 4, a 17-8 home loss to Nottoway on March 23 and a 12-0 season-opening road loss to Randolph-Henry High School on March 14.

But the Chargers have also mixed in victories, like a 9-5 win at Bluestone on March 30, a 7-5 home win against William Campbell, a 13-8 win at Buckingham County High School on March 21 and a 10-7 home win against Prince Edward County High School on March 16.

“We can compete with anyone when we bring our best game to the field,” McGrath said, addressing his expectations for his team.

The 2017 Chargers are composed of eight freshmen, two eighth graders and one sophomore.

McGrath identified sophomore Jackson Dalton as a standout, noting that he has pitched well, along with freshmen Austin Hall and Benjamin Anthony, but the coach also noted how players all across the roster have been key factors this season.

“Everyone on the team has contributed to our four wins,” he said.

When Hall pitched against Amelia in Central’s most recent game, the Chargers lineup included Anthony at catcher, freshman Dalton Ashworth at shortstop, Dalton at first base, freshman Matthew Warren at third base, freshman Darien Jones in center field, eighth-grader Tyler McGrath at second base, eighth-grader Seth Hall in left field and freshman Caleb Bailey in right field.

Coach McGrath showed a different look against Bluestone, when Dalton pitched, Anthony played at shortstop, Ashworth played at second base, Austin Hall played at third, Warren played at first, freshman Mason Elliott played at catcher and freshman Grant Foley played in right field.

The Chargers return from spring break next week and host Cumberland High School on Tuesday, with the first pitch set for 5 p.m.