SCRIPPS RANCH FALCONS VS. UNIVERSITY CITY CENTURIONS

In baseball, the term “let’s play two” usually means playing two games in one day. For the University City Centurions, that phrase took on a whole new meaning last week.

Thanks to Madison High’s protest over a proposed school dress code, the Centurions were unable to squeeze in two games for the whole week. University City started off the week on a good note, however, with a thrilling 2-l victory over Scripps Ranch.

It was a well-pitched game by both squads, as both hurlers went the distance for their respective ballclubs. Centurion ace Tony Saipe got the win, going seven strong innings and striking out six.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning. That’s when University City’s Norberto Alejo scored all the way from first base on a ball that was misplayed by Scripps Ranch right fielder Ben Wilson.

In the top half of the sixth inning, Scripps Ranch tied the game up, l-l, when pinch hitter Tyler Coffin singled, stole second base, and scored on a pair of miscues. The game remained deadlocked until the Centurions came to bat in the bottom of the seventh inning.

With one out, Don Hollis stepped to the plate for University City. Hollis singled and Alejo followed that up with a base on balls, putting runners at first and second.

Then, the Centurions pulled off a double steal, moving each runner up a base, to second and third, respectively. With both runners now in scoring position, Adrian Pimentel lined a single off Scripps Ranch pitcher Doug Best, scoring Hollis, and winning the game for University City.

“He hung in there and hit a good pitch,” said Falcons coach Roger Engle of Pimentel. “It was a tough game. Each team battled the whole way.”

Unfortunately for Best, he pitched a great game, only to lose the battle. The lanky left-hander went seven innings, striking out seven, but got hung with the loss.

Besides Pimentel’s heroics and Saipe’s work on the mound, the Centurions’ Ryan Cohen had a big day at the plate, going 2-for-3.

Later in the week, University City found out that they had received a consolation prize. The game against Madison was ruled a forfeit by the Warhawks, giving the Centurions the win and an overall record of 17-7 and 4-4 in the Central League.