Centralia picked up another run-rule victory on Monday, blitzing past Black Hills 13-2 in a meeting at Fort Borst Park.
The first two Tigers to come to the plate were retired, but they rattled off six straight two-out hits to put up four runs in the first, and that momentum carried over into the second.
The first three Tigers to come to the plate reached base, bringing home another run, and McKenna Smith drilled a three-run home run to put Centralia up 8-0.
Centralia coach David Orr was pleased with the home run, but he said he was also happy with how the team wasn’t solely focused on the long ball.
Later in the inning, MadDog Rothdeutsch and Jaden Johnson both hit RBI doubles, Adrianne Lynch added an RBI single, and Brooklyn Sprague hit an RBI groundout to make it 13-0.
“RBIs are bigger than hitting the fence,” Orr said. “I think they did a great job of that … They’ve all changed their approach at the plate.”
It was plenty of run support for Lydia Lowe, who made her first start of the season in the circle.
She went all five innings, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) while walking three and striking out five.
Moving forward this season, Orr said that Lowe will be an option in the circle alongside Smith and Lynch, who both had Monday off from throwing.
“Lydia did a great job,” Orr said. “We couldn’t ask for more than that.”
Black Hills’ lone runs came in the fourth, the first coming on an RBI double before the second came across on an RBI fielder’s choice from Ava Wright.
Black Hills coach Mike Vessey admitted that with the injuries to Kailey Miller and Tyler Venable, there’s been some growing pains for the younger girls on the team, but he added that he’s confident they’ll settle in with more reps.
“There’s still girls trying to find their spots and adjust to that,” Vessey said. “I was hoping to be a little further along than we are at this point, but boy, those injuries every game affect us more and more.”
In addition to having the RBI double, O’Shurak came in and settled things down in the circle, allowing no runs over the final two innings.
“I’m not even sure she was all that warm when she came in,” Vessey said. “But Hannah’s done a good job for us this year. Pretty consistent so far. She’s a hard working kid. She put in a lot of work in the offseason, and it’s starting to show.”
In addition to her five innings in the circle, Lowe went 3 for 3 at the plate with a pair of doubles and two RBIs, while Smith finished 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs of her own.
Rothdeutsch went 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI, and Jaden Johnson also added two hits, including a double, and drove in two. Lynch added three hits and scored twice.
With Johnson back from injury and Lowe showcasing her ability to last in the circle, Orr said he’s confident that his group will continue to improve defensively, a part of the game that has been up and down for the Tigers early on.
As recently as last Wednesday, the Tigers committed 11 errors in a 15-14 loss to Shelton.
Orr expressed confidence in Antonio Saucedo in right field, and he also said that Brooklyn Sprague and Lynch can lock down the left side of the infield.
“We only have 10 on our roster, so everybody has to learn how to play a bunch of positions,” Orr said.
The Tigers (5-2, 2-1 EvCo) will travel to Chehalis to take on W.F. West on Wednesday in their final game before the break.
That same afternoon, Black Hills (0-5, 0-3 2A EvCo) will also hit the road for a rivalry game against Tumwater. After that, the Wolves will host Elma on Friday before hitting the break themselves.
