Center Horseshoe Ballpark on Friday April 19, 2024 -
The Center Roughriders varsity baseball team never trailed during Friday’s District 17- 4A home game with the Gilmer Buckeyes. The ‘Riders took a 1-0 run lead in the bottom of the second inning when Freshman first baseman Jayden Lane singled up the middle of the outfield and he later scored on a misplayed single into Gilmer’s outfield by Roughrider senior Colby Lout.
The game remained tight with CHS holding the one-run lead until the Roughriders rallied for runs by Logan Horton, Lane, and Lout giving Center a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth.
Gilmer rallied and brought nine batters to the plate in the top of the seventh inning and tied the game at 4-4. Center started the bottom of the seventh with Easton Wulf drawing a walk. Wulf was retired on a force play when teammate Cody Atkinson grounded to an infielder. Atkinson advanced to second base on a wild pitch and then later moved to third base on an errant pickoff attempt. Atkinson alertly scored on another wild pitch that got behind Gilmer’s catcher to win the game in walk-off fashion by a 5-4 run score.
The win keeps Center’s playoff hopes alive as the team is in fifth place with two games remaining and four teams move into the playoffs at season’s end.
Roughrider Freshman Pitcher Easton Wulf got the win for Center. He threw for 6 1/3 innings (104 pitches) and struck out eight and gave up three walks. Junior shortstop TJ Belin came in for the pitching save he walked two and struck out one Buckeye batter. Aiden Davis took the complete game loss for Gilmer.
The Roughriders will host the Carthage Bulldogs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 7 p.m. at the CHS Horseshoe Ballpark.
