The Centralia baseball team saw its home league matchup Friday turn into a road doubleheader due to rain in the forecast, a proceeded to drop both games to Shelton, 8-7 and 3-0.
The Tigers struggled at the plate the whole day, logging just six hits across 14 innings.
“One thing we talked about tonight was staying out of the air,” Centralia coach Jake LeDuc said. “We’re not putting pressure on the defense when we’re sitting and hitting fly ball after fly ball.”
Tucker Weaver and Marcus Miller combined to get Centralia through Game 1 on the hill. Weaver took the loss, allowing eight runs in 4 2/3 innings, though only one was earned. Together, the two allowed nine free passes, while the Tigers made seven errors as a team.
“On the defensive side, we need to limit baserunners,” LeDuc said. “We’re putting too many guys on free bases.”
Centralia — designated as the home team in Game 1 — scored two runs in the first inning and led 6-3 after three, but couldn’t hold on, as Shelton rallied for two in the fourth and three in the fifth to take control.
Brady Sprague threw a complete game in Game 2. He only allowed five hits, but walked seven — three of which came in a two-spot that helped break the deadlock for Shelton in the fourth.
Centralia is slated to host Elma in a non-league game Tuesday.
