By The Chronicle staff
In their first Evergreen Conference dual on the road, the Tigers got a test against the Thunderbirds, but thanks to comebacks by Charlie Stratton plus the tandem of Jonathon Robbins and Bobby Simpson, Centralia defeated Tumwater 4-2 in Tumwater on Wednesday afternoon.
Stratton was on the ropes at No. 3 singles against Odin Bisbee, facing a three-game deficit in both sets. He proceeded to rally down 2-5 both times to secure a 7-5, 7-6 (7-1) triumph that allowed Centralia to sweep the three singles matches.
Robbins and Simpson were down 0-4 in the final set, then ran off a miraculous run to beat Thomas Williams and Vince Givntoli 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 at No. 2 doubles. Zander Corwin (No. 1 singles) upended returning state qualifier Bodie Jackson 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).
Tumwater’s lone two victories came at the hands of its No. 1 doubles team of Kieran Cox and Max Bunn 6-2, 6-1 and the duo of Dylan Lane and Grady Harioun 0-6, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3 doubles.
“It was great to face a team with comparable strength and depth,” Centralia head coach Keith Hopkins said. “The match could have gone either way.”
The Tigers face Black Hills and the T-Birds take on W.F. West, both matches slated for Friday afternoon.
