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Redhawk down: Errors doom Liberty in loss to Centennial
BY CHRIS O'DELL, codell@starlocalnews.com
FRISCO -- The Titans didn't need much help on the offensive end with senior pitcher Jacob Atchley limiting the Redhawks at the plate.
Liberty would provide plenty of aid to the Centennial hitters though, committing five costly errors in Tuesday night's 8-2 victory for the Titans.
"It's always good any time you can capitalize on errors," said Jason Wilson, Centennial head coach. "It's big when you can make the other team pay for mistakes."
In the home half of the inning, Atchley took care of business and registered two of his six strikeouts on the night to keep the one-run lead for Centennial.
With neither team crossing the plate in the second, the Titans were able to break the game open in the third inning after several costly mistakes from the Liberty defense.
Shortstop Austin Schotts began the inning with a leadoff double before Gardner reached base on a fielding error in the following at bat.
After Raglin made it 2-0 on a sacrifice fly, Atchley became the second Titan of the inning and third of the game to reach base on an error. The Atchley hit would drive in the third run of the game for Centennial.
The damage wouldn't stop there, as outfielder Dylan Forsythe made the Redhawks pay with an RBI single of his own in the next at bat, putting the Titans ahead 4-0 after the top of the third inning.
With errors hurting Liberty all night long, starting pitcher Hayden Parker lasted just four innings, giving up five runs on five hits and striking out six batters.
Meanwhile, Atchley continued to pound the strike zone for Centennial and tossed five solid innings, surrendering just one unearned run on four hits and striking out six Liberty batters.
"[Atchley] attacked like he was supposed to," Wilson said. "He's proving to be a solid No. 2 pitcher as we drive toward the playoffs."
The Liberty defense fell to its lowest point in the fourth inning when Schotts hit a pop up to deep right field that was easily playable.
The Redhawks let the ball bounce and while Schotts slid into third safely, a quick throw sailed out of the infield and allowed Schotts to make it home without registering a base hit.
Liberty then recorded its only run of the night in the bottom of the fourth in a less dramatic fashion.
With senior Michael Stewart blasting a double with just one out in the inning, junior Jacob Colombo would move Stewart to third after reaching base on a Centennial error.
Stewart would then score on a wild pitch by Atchley that got by catcher Ryan Pulsifer, making it 5-1 in favor of the Titans.
"We try to eliminate our errors on defense," Wilson said.
If there was any doubt about the outcome of the game before the start of the fifth inning, Centennial would end any speculation during the top part of the frame.
The Titans would add another three runs in the inning to go ahead 8-1 and threaten to run-rule the Redhawks.
Most of the inning's damage would be done at the expense of Liberty relief pitcher Dan Hawk, who surrendered three runs on three hits without registering an out.
The Redhawks were able to lean on freshman Robby Evans after Hawk's short outing.
Evans pitched the final three innings and didn't allow a hit while stirking out four batters.
Meanwhile, it was relief pitcher Ryan Hill who closed things out for the Titans.
Hill tossed the final two innings and gave up just one hit in the final out of the game.
"That's his role," Wilson said. "We want him to close it out after Atchley or [Justin] Bethard."
The victory puts Centennial at 8-2 against District 9-4A counterparts and sets up a key battle with first-place Wakeland (10-0) on Friday.
"It's big mentally," Wilson said. "If we can beat them, it gives us a chance."
Bethard is slated for the start in the 7:30 p.m. showdown.
For Liberty, a road game against Carrollton Creekview will be the next chance to get back in the win column.
That game is also set for 7:30 p.m.
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