Tigers Stay Perfect in League Thanks to Late Heroics from Vallejo

Posted

After a big four run inning from Black Hills tied the game at 7-7 heading into the seventh inning, the Centralia baseball team turned to a new face in a big moment in an equally pivotal league contest.

Coming in to pinch hit after playing in the JV game, freshman Carlos Vallejo, on a 1-2 count, blasted a three-run double just over the Wolves centerfielder’s head to give the Tigers the lead, and the cushion it needed in a 13-7 win Thursday evening.

The Tigers (4-2, 3-0 2A EvCo) have yet to lose in league play.

“We’ve still got some things to clean up,” Tigers coach Adam Riffe said. “But offensively we played really well, we worked on situational hitting over the break and it paid off.”

Vallejo had the big moment, but Moshie Eport and Landon Kaut got the party started, with Eport going for three hits and two RBIs and Kaut nearly equaling him with two hits and two RBIs.

On the mound, starter Tucker Weaver went 5.1 innings, allowing four earned runs and striking out five in a solid performance.

“He pitched terrific for us,” Riffe said. “He had a great outing.”

Black Hills was led by Parker Termini’s three hits and Tanner Parkinson’s two at the plate, but struggled on the mound, pitching a slew of arms to find consistency. Alexander Shepler started for the Wolves and lasted three innings, allowing four earned runs with two strikeouts.

The squads will matchup again on Friday in Centralia, with the Wolves looking to even the series and the Tigers looking to win it outright on their home field.