By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
BURLESON – The Spartans scored five runs in the top of the first inning during their 8-4 win over arch rival Burleson on Tuesday at Burleson High School.
Centennial (18-6-1, 6-0) grabbed hold of sole possession in 8-5A while Burleson suffered its first district loss. The Spartans have beaten the Elks in eight of the past nine meetings.
“We were focused this week and tuned out all the noise. We jumped on them – holding them and letting our defense play the way they play. We knew it would be in our favor,” Centennial coach Natalie Kirkpatrick said.
The Spartans put up four hits, two home runs and five runs during the opening inning while chasing Burleson starting pitcher Sela Anderson after recording just one out. Brooke Mayner opened the gates with a solo home run to right.
Addison McCroskey singled in Lexie Arthur and Mackenzie McKeon added a two-run home run to left field for a 5-0 lead. Arthur, McCroskey and McKeon all drove in runs during the second inning as Centennial’s lead extended to 8-0.
Burleson (15-5, 5-1) loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning, but was called for two runner interferences that kept the Elks off the board. Kaydan Dorman led off the bottom of the second with a double to center and would score on a passed ball.
Centennial led off the fourth with back-to-back singles, but Burleson pitcher Savannah Skaggs retired the next three batters to end the threat. Tessa Goodwin hit a lead off home run to center to get Burleson within 8-2.
Addy Sellers singled in the fifth and scored on a two-run home run by Lola Andrews, her 10th home run of the season that made it 8-4.
Mayner came in to pitch for Centennial in the sixth and got the first two batters out via strike out. But she issued three straight walks to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate. However, a third strikeout got the Spartans out of the jam, still nursing a four-run lead.
Mayner finished off the seventh with a walk, double play and her fourth strikeout of the game.
“Our pitchers did great and they were hitting their spots,” Kirkpatrick said. “And our defense just backed them up. The one thing we tell our pitchers is to just put it where we call it and your defense is going to take care of you.”
McCroskey got the win with five innings while Mayner didn’t issue a hit in two innings.
