SHREVEPORT-Strong pitching and timely hitting gave way to a 2-1, 10-inning victory for the Centenary baseball team in Game 1 over Gonzaga on Friday evening in non-conference play at Shehee Stadium.
The Gents (5-4) had five hits on the night as senior Michael Tompkins led Centenary with a 2x3, one-RBI performance, while seniors Cliff Shepard (1x4), Tell Ross (1x4) and sophomore Jeff Schaffert (1x3) each had a knock.
Junior righty Derek Dalzell (2.0,1,0,0,0,1) picked up his first win of the season after entering the tied (1-1) game, tossing 2.0 shut out innings with one strike out.
Starter Boone Whiting (4.1,0,1,0,6,11) fanned 11 batters over 4.1 innings, while allowing no hits and no earned runs for the no decision. Senior reliever Dakota Robinson (3.2,3,0,0,1,3) threw 3.2 innings, surrendering just three hits, while keeping the hitters at bay with three punch outs.
Schaffert led off the bottom of the 10th with a single up the middle, was moved to second a SAC bunt by freshman Ryan Bell. Pinch runner Matt Creamer came in for Schaffert and was moved to third on a ground out by junior Keegan Acker before plating the winning run on a Gonzaga wild pitch.
From the beginning, it remained a 0-0 game until the Bulldogs scored their first run on three walks and an error. Centenary pitchers continued to stay strong, holding Gonzaga to just four hits over the next six frames.
The Gents tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Tompkins' RBI-single to center field drove in Acker who led off the frame with a walk.
"Our greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one throught over another," said head coach Ed McCann.
"We played well and I am proud of our guys."
For Gonzaga, Jacob Brown (0.2,1,1,1,0,0) suffered the loss after pitching 0.2 innings of relief with one earned run on one hit. Starter Cody Martin (7.0,3,1,1,3,9) threw well, but was relieved after 7.0 complete innings of three-hit ball with nine Centenary strikeouts.
Centenary will be back in action when it continues its three-game set at 2:00 pm on Saturday.
