Centralia second baseman Devin Ferguson hangs his head after making an error in the second game of an NWAACC doubleheader against Lower Columbia on Saturday at Ed Wheeler Field in Centralia.
Centralia shortstop Jeremy Caesar backhands a ground ball during the second game of an NWAACC doubleheader against Lower Columbia on Saturday at Ed Wheeler Field in Centralia. Caesar cleanly fielded the ball, but could not throw the runner out in time at first base.
Centralia rightfielder Tanner Scott catches a fly ball as first baseman Colby Fitzgerald looks on during the second game of an NWAACC doubleheader against Lower Columbia at Ed Wheeler Field in Centralia on Saturday.
Centralia shortstop Jeremy Caesar gets a force out at second base on Lower Columbia's Mac Gridley as he attempts to turn a doubleplay in the second game of an NWAACC twinbill on Saturday at Ed Wheeler Field in Centralia.
Centralia's Colby Fitzgerald cleanly fields a ground ball and walks over to first base for the unassisted put out during the second game of an NWAACC doubleheader against Lower Columbia on Saturday at Ed Wheeler Field in Centralia.
Centralia second baseman Devin Ferguson looks to tag out Lower Columbia's Spencer Hannah as he attempts to steal second base during the nightcap of an NWAACC twinbill on Saturday at Ed Wheeler Field in Centralia.
The Trailblazers had a rough run-in with the rival Red Devils over the weekend, losing 14-1 and 9-2 in Centralia on Saturday and 15-3 and 5-0 in Longview on Sunday in NWAACC West Division baseball action.
Cody Ray and Dane Cheatley each had two hits in Saturday's opener, but three errors led to 10 unearned runs — and an early ending — in the eighth inning of the 14-1 loss.
Devon Barker tossed the first six innings and gave up 3 earned runs, leaving Centralia trailing 4-1 going into the eighth.
"We had our chances early, but couldn't find a way to get a run," Blazer assistant coach Jake LeDuc said. "We just couldn't catch a break."
Ray and Colby Fitzgerald were both 2 for 4 in Saturday's late game, but despite eight hits the Blazers, again, had trouble advancing runners. Centralia led 1-0 after an inning, but Lower Columbia took a 3-1 lead after three frames and added 6 in the sixth.
"We jump out to an early lead, and turn around and give it right back to them," LeDuc said. "It's just kind of the story of the weekend. When we did hit, we didn't play defense and pitch behind it."
The Blazers didn't fare much better in Longview. Devin Ferguson and Fitzgerald were both 2 for 3 in Game 1 on Sunday, and Tanner Scott knocked a 2-run double in the fourth inning, but the Red Devils piled up a 6-0 lead after two innings. Centralia clawed back with 3 in the fourth, but Lower Columbia put up 6 in the bottom half of the frame to put the game out of reach.
Centralia then managed just two hits — from Tyler Zwosta and Ben Smith — in the series finale.
Trevor Goforth went all seven innings, allowing eight hits and just 2 runs before a 3-run homer gave the Red Devils a big cushion in the sixth.
"He gave us a lot of chances," LeDuc said. "We fought all game long, we just didn't have many baserunners, and it's tough to do much when you don't get guys on."
Centralia (12-21, 5-11 league) will host Tacoma for two games on Saturday and hit the road to play Tacoma for two more on Sunday.
At Centralia
Game 1
RED DEVILS 14, TRAILBLAZERS 1
L. Columbia 020 020 0(10) — 14 12 0
Centralia 000 010 00 — 1 8 5
Batteries: Lower Columbia — Fewel and Williams; Centralia — Devin Barker, Colt Carpenter (7), Cam Margaris (8), Keegan Dez Aguilar (8) and Tyler Lundgren
Game 2
RED DEVILS 9, TRAILBLAZERS 2
L. Columbia 012 006 0 — 9 10 1
Centralia 100 001 0 — 2 8 2
Batteries: Lower Columbia — Boyle, Cool (7) and Williams; Centralia — Cole Godfrey, Matt Hymas (4), Reggie Hancock (6), Matt Bereiter (7) and Chris Peterson
At Longview
Game 1
RED DEVILS 15, TRAILBLAZERS 3
Centralia 000 300 0 — 3 8 1
L. Columbia 330 603 x — 15 17 0
Batteries: Centralia — Brandon Middleton, Justin Gillen (3), Jordan Hull (4), Chase Wasson (6) and Tyler Lundgren; Lower Columbia — Christy, Dickinson (6) and O’Neil
Game 2
RED DEVILS 5, TRAILBLAZERS 0
Centralia 000 000 0 — 0 2 1
L. Columbia 100 013 x — 5 8 0
Batteries: Centralia — Trevor Goforth and Chris Peterson; Lower Columbia — Galusha and Williams
