Swirling wind and rain did little to subdue the Tumwater offense on Thursday night, as the Thunderbirds plated a baker’s dozen to top Centralia 13-2 on the turf at Bob Peters Field.
It’s Tumwater’s second big win in a row over the Tigers, as the T-Birds outscored Centralia 40-4 in a two-game sweep.
Tumwater coach Lyle Overbay says that the emphasis recently has been on adapting in the box in-game, and while he still believes there is more room for improvement, he’s pleased with the early returns.
“They’re making those adjustments,” Overbay said. “That’s the biggest thing … And they’re sticking to their strengths.”
The Thunderbirds (5-2, 4-0 2A EvCo) scored a pair in the first on a groundout and an Eddie Marson RBI single, but the Tigers (2-4, 1-3 2A EvCo) responded with two of their own in the bottom half.
After Tumwater starter Derek Thompson struck out the first two batters of the inning, a dropped third strike allowed Landen Jenkins to reach. After a walk and a hit by pitch, Marcus Miller hit a line-drive down the line in right field to tie the game.
“Our response after giving up two in the top of the first, that’s exactly the kind of thing we’re looking for,” Centralia coach Jake LeDuc said. “We just need to continue that.”
As Thompson settled in on the mound, the Tumwater offense immediately went to work.
After Tumwater plated a run to regain the lead in the top of the second, Peyton Davis hit a two-run inside-the-park home run to push the lead to three. Womach notched another RBI on a base hit in the fourth. Thompson helped himself with an RBI single in the fourth, and Womach brought two more home on a triple.
Womach’s biggest swing of the night came in the sixth, when he hit a towering opposite-field home run that pushed the Tumwater lead to double-digits. He finished a double shy of the cycle at the plate, driving in four runs.
“That’s the preparation that he’s been doing,” Overbay said. “He’s been consistent and really buying into it … I think that’s why he’s having success.”
Thompson went on to pitch three innings, allowing just one hit and the two unearned runs while walking two and striking out six. Overbay said that Thompson, who was at just 57 pitches, could’ve gone longer, but he didn’t feel the need to push his arm this early in the season.
Overbay was proud of the way he bounced back after that first inning, saying that he didn’t let congestion on the base paths or a pair of Tumwater errors impact him.
“He got back on the mound and started pounding,” Overbay said. “He got back on and did what he did, and it’s fun to watch.”
Thompson made way for Luke Houk, who pitched the final three innings, allowing just one hit, walking two, and striking out two without allowing a run.
While LeDuc noted that the Tigers need to cut down on their mistakes and battle better with two strikes, he also added that they’re looking forward to turning the page and getting back on the diamond.
“The great thing about baseball is there’s always tomorrow,” LeDuc said.
Centralia will have to wait a little longer before its next game, a road league game at Shelton next Friday, while the Thunderbirds are back in action on Friday at home in a non-league contest against Battle Ground.
