Big inning boosts Lady Tigers to win

Published 12:03 am Tuesday, August 17, 2010

CENTRAL, La. — It took until the top of the third inning for the Centreville Academy Lady Tigers to finally get on the scoreboard against Central Private School pitcher Bailea Pucich.

Yet Centreville did so in a big way, scoring six runs in its half of that inning as the Lady Tigers held on for a 6-4 win over the Lady Rebels Monday afternoon to remain undefeated in MAIS District 5-AA.

Taylor Delatte tripled to score two runs, Ashton Crum singled a pair of runs, Tori Rouse had an RBI double and Renee Miley added an RBI of her own when she walked with the bases loaded and one out. That broke a scoreless game and forced Central Private to play catch up.

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“We had put our hits together. That one inning they came in bunches,” Centreville head coach Mark Mann said. “Theirs were spread out — two here, two there. When they did that, that’s how they got their runs.”

Central Private had nine hits in the game, seven off Centreville starting pitcher Ariana Bigner. Despite not having her best performance on the mound — three runs on seven hits and four walks to go with five strikeouts in just 3 2/3 innings — she still got the win.

Centreville, on the other hand, was held to just six hits against Pucich, the majority of them coming in the top of the third inning. Despite being tagged with loss, Pucich pitched four scoreless innings. She struck out four and walked three.

“She’s having mechanical problems with the weather. We didn’t get to practice much either because of the inclement weather,” Mann said. “Pitchers need to throw bullpens, even on days off. She has struggled. She’s a lot better pitcher than she’s been performing the last week, week and a half.”

Central Private scored one run in the bottom of the third inning and three in the bottom of the fourth to make it a 6-4 game. The third run came off Rouse, who relieved Bigner with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Rouse then shut the door on the Lady Rebels in the bottom of the fifth inning for the save.

B. Anders and L. West each went 2-for-3 for Central Private.

Mann added that the Lady Tigers weren’t as energetic and enthusiastic in the first couple of innings of the game as they have been.

“We came out flat. No excuses. You have to be ready for every game,” Mann said. “It was a struggle. It was an ugly win, but it was a district win. Give them some credit. They played solid defense.”

Centreville (10-3, 2-0) steps out of district play today as the Lady Tigers play at Amite School Center. The junior varsity game starts at 5 p.m. and will be followed by the varsity game at 6:15 p.m.

WCCA 3, Silliman 0

CLINTON, La. — The Wilkinson County Christian Lady Rams got an outstanding pitching performance from Bethany Fletcher as they defeated Silliman 3-0 on the road Monday.

Fletcher pitched a three-hit shutout and got just enough offense to get the victory.

WCCA scored one run in the top of the first inning and two more in the top of the third, which was all the runs Fletcher needed.

Each team had just three hits in the game, and Silliman’s Kayla Davidson and Tori Lockhart had doubles in the losing effort.

WCCA (4-3) will play Adams County Christian today, with the junior varsity game beginning at 5 p.m. and the varsity contest following at 6:30 p.m.