Undermanned Tigers edge Cougars in extra innings

Southern Sports & Travel

The two-time defending Class AA State Champion Centreville Tigers avoided putting themselves in a big hole by edging third ranked Simpson 2-1 last night in extra innings at Centreville Academy.

Playing without three starters Centreville relied on the arm of senior Randy Bell and big plays from underclassmen filling in.

Bell (Photo left) went the entire eight innings striking out 14 and giving up just one hit while his counterpart, Simpson junior Austin Douglas, put together a solid performance allowing three hits and striking out 7 while also going the distance.

Bell would retire the first eight Simpson batters he faced before allowing a third inning, two-out walk to the Cougar’s Chris Sullivan. The walk was followed by an in-field error that put Kolby Burton on first while advancing Sullivan into scoring position at second base.

In what would prove to be a crucial play in the contest Simpson’s Christopher Richardson connected on a Randy Bell 1-1 pitch to deep center field but a diving grab by sophomore John Marcus McDowell halted what would have more than likely been two Cougar runs.

Centreville would take the lead in their half of the fifth inning.

Sophomore Casey Haygood sent an Austin Douglas 1-1 pitch into center field for a lead-off single and a sacrifice bunt from Hayden Mounce advanced Haygood to second base with one out.

Drew Noland’s grounder recorded the second out but that would move Haywood over to third base with Centreville’s Cale McKey stepping up to the plate.

McKey smoked an infield grounder that was mishandled, scoring Haygood and giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead after five full innings of play.

Simpson responded in the top half of the sixth inning.

The Cougars would get their first hit off of Randy Bell as Chris Sullivan hit a lead-off single into right field. Two pitches later Sullivan successfully stole second base but would watch Bell retire two batters and threaten to stop the Cougar rally.

Sullivan took advantage of a Bell pitch in the dirt and advanced to third base and scored on another Bell pitch that was short and couldn’t be handled by freshman catcher Chad Vanderford.

Bell struck out Walt Prince to end the inning and the two squads would play into the eighth inning knotted at 1-1 before all was decided.

Centreville's Casey Haygood (#12) readies to head home in the fifth inning

Bell retired the side in the top half of the eighth inning and Austin Douglas appeared to be on his way to doing the same in the bottom half but a critical pitching error would be costly for third ranked Simpson.

After forcing Centreville’s Drew Noland into a ground out Douglas sat down Cale McKey to record the second Tiger out but Douglas would hit pinch hitter Tyler Duncan.

Duncan was replaced by speedy sophomore Chase Hughes who wasted little time in stealing second base with fellow sophomore John Marcus McDowell at the plate.

McDowell, facing a 2-1 count, laid down a two-out bunt and just before reaching first base was hit in the back on the throw by the Simpson catcher while Hughes raced around third and scored the winning run.

“We knew we really had to come into tonight’s game focused,” said Centreville senior Randy Bell. “We had some key guys out but this win showed that we have a lot of grit and determination and our young guys really stepped up.”

Bell, who improved to 5-2, wouldn’t have been the game one starter for Centreville but without the services of junior pitcher Colby Shaw he got the nod.

“Chad Vanderford, our freshman catcher, did a great job tonight and our defense really stepped up and made some big plays,” said Bell. “Now we have to look towards Friday’s game and keep everyone focused.”

John Marcus McDowell (#32) of Centreville bunted in the winning run in the eighth inning

Vanderford along with John Marcus McDowell filled in for two other Centreville regulars who were unavailable for last night’s contest.

Austin Douglas took the loss for Simpson. The junior (6-2) recorded 7 strikeouts on the night.

With the win second ranked Centreville improves to 15-5 but more importantly the Tigers take a 1-0 series lead.

The series picks back up in Mendenhall on Friday with a double-header scheduled if necessary.

Simpson fell to 15-6.

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Post Game with Centreville Head Coach Jason Horne