As the regular season comes to a close, teams want to gain momentum for the postseason. The Central baseball team, who went a perfect 3-0 over the previous week and extended their winning streak to seven games with just a few games remaining on their schedule, is accomplishing what teams strive to. On May, 12 the Panthers scored a season high run total as they clobbered Woodburn 18-0.
Three pitchers took the hill for Central against the Bulldogs, Owen Baker, Cody Vinson and Lane Peyton all pitched at least one inning but none threw more than 33 pitches as the trio only gave up one hit and combined for six strikeouts. On offense, the top four in the Panthers batting order led the charge as the likes of Carlo Cervantes, Isaiah Sanchez, Will Merritt and Joey Cole combined for seven hits and five RBIs.
The Panthers got it going early on offense as four of the first five batters reached base. Derek Brinton’s hit to second base coupled with a Woodburn error brought across the final two runs for Central in the first inning as the Panthers got out to an early 4-0 lead.
After a quick first out toward the top of the second inning, Central broke the game open with their next eight batters reaching base. Cervantes and Sanchez hit a triple and a single to bring in the final Panthers runs of the innings with Central opening up a 12-0 lead. Following a quick third inning for both sides, the Panthers added one run in the top of the fourth off of another Woodburn error.
In the top of the fifth, Central took advantage of more Bulldogs errors as back to back Woodburn mishaps brought in the first run of the frame. From there, three straight hits combined with a fielder’s choice brought in three more Panthers runs. Josh Rech scored the final run after a pitch got past the Woodburn catcher.
Peyton came in to close out the final half inning of the contest and only needed 12 pitches to retire the Bulldogs in order closing out a commanding win for Central 18-0.
Central will close out their regular season with a matchup against Woodburn on May 15 and a non-league matchup against South Salem on May 16 with the early results to be determined after the IO’s press time.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.