Center High School, May 3, 2018 –
The Roughriders have now moved on to the Area Round of the UIL Baseball Playoffs after they beat Gladewater 15-2 in Game 2 on Saturday, May 5, 2018.
The Center Roughriders opened up their post-season baseball playoffs with a 4-1 Game 1 win over the Gladewater Bears on Thursday. The game was scheduled to be played at neutral Tatum High School but was moved to Centers’ Horseshoe Ballpark due to inclement weather. Game two of the best-of-three game series is now scheduled to be played at Gladewater High School, on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 1 p.m. If needed, Game 3 will follow immediately after Game 2.
Senior Roughrider pitcher Jaxon Covington pitched the entire day for Center and recorded ten strikeouts while only allowing four total baserunners. He struck out all three Bears batters he faced in the top of the second and fifth innings.
Center enjoyed a 7-3 hitting advantage and the ‘Riders held a 4-1 advantage in gaining free bases.
The Roughriders, Head Coached by Kelly Spann, are now 20-5 for the season. One more win in the series will give them the bi-district title between District 16 4A and District 15.
Center gained a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the second inning when Logan Mitchell singled with one out. Jaden Hicks doubled to the leftfield wall to give Center runners at second and third bases. Christian Lee next walked and loaded the base path. Dalton Alexander grounded out but a throwing error allowed Mitchell and Hicks to score.
Hicks drove in fellow ‘Rider Zack Smith, with an RBI single to leftfield in the bottom of the fourth inning. This gave CHS a 3-0 lead until Gladewater scored on a hit, and a walk in the top of the sixth inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Hicks scored the ‘Riders final run after getting on base with a walk, moving two bases to third on a throwing error, and advancing home on a Christian Lee sacrifice fly deep into centerfield. This gave CHS a 4-1 advantage which held up till game’s end.
