Centennial’s baseball team battled hard against Holdrege in the first round of the postseason May 7 but couldn’t get past the Dusters, losing 9-6.
Coach Phil Payne said the Broncos played pretty well and were able to hit the Holdrege pitcher who no-hit them April 30. CHS finished with a season-high eight hits, led by two each from Ruger Webb and Parker Perry, who drove in four runs.
Trailing 9-3 heading into the seventh inning, the Broncos rallied for three runs and had the tying run at the plate twice, Payne said.
“We got a few things going,” he said.
Cael Payne started the rally by being hit by a pitch. A bunt by Jack Luebbe and a single by Webb scored Payne.
Cooper Stelling got off to a rocky start, allowing a two-run home run in the first inning. He settled in after that, however, Coach Payne said, striking out five in his 2.2 innigs of work. Grant Hinze pitched in relief, and Holdrege hitters struggled with the change in velocity and from a lefty pitcher to a righty, Coach Payne said.
In addition to his day at the plate, Perry also had a good day on defense, catching a bunt attempt that might have gone for a base hit.
Senior Trenton Waegli, who hadn’t played much this season, was 1-2 with another hard-hit ball for an out, the coach said.
“All the seniors had good games,” Coach Payne said.
Centennial opened the week with a 9-2 loss to Louisville. Webb was 2-3, and Caleb Clouse hit a double.
The Broncos finished the season 0-14.
Unofficially, Perry led the team with eight hits and five RBIs. Cael Payne doubled twice and was hit three times, and Clouse stole three bases.
Stelling appeared in 10 games on the mound and struck out 34. Clouse added 20 strikeouts.
