Aggies’ nickel-dime strategy pays off against Centennial
Arbor View’s baseball team had a modest goal against Centennial ace Michael Wagner on Monday: just get on base and see what happens.
It turned out to be the perfect strategy. The Aggies scratched across two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to edge Wagner and the visiting Bulldogs, 4-3.
“One of our philosophies is to find a way to get on first base,” Arbor View coach Chris Martinez said. “Once we get on first base, we’ll try to figure out what we need to do to score.”
Arbor View managed only two hits, both in the sixth, but took advantage of four Centennial errors to score four unearned runs against Wagner.
Arbor View trailed 3-2 entering the sixth, but Tyler LeBaron was hit by a pitch with one out, and Colton Hinrickson followed with a deep fly to right that fell for a two-base error, putting two runners in scoring position.
“Our goal is to try to put the ball in play, especially against a pitcher like Wagner,” Martinez said. “We found a way, and it just happened to fall in, luckily for us. It kind of created something and we found a way to win.”
After a strikeout, senior Joe Citelli got the team’s first hit off Wagner, a flair into right-center that scored two runs and gave the Aggies the lead.
“It was exactly what we needed to do right there,” Aggies starter Buddy Borden said. “It was real clutch. (Citelli) has been real good for us all year.”
Wagner struck out nine, but had control problems, walking three and hitting two batters.
Borden also turned in a strong outing, allowing two earned runs on three hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked two.
“He was able to locate his fastball, he threw changeups early in the count and he competed for us,” Martinez said.
“He was able to locate his fastball, he threw changeups early in the count and he competed for us,” Martinez said.
Zack Hartman slammed the door in the seventh, striking out two of three batters for a save.
Arbor View, tied with Legacy atop the Northwest League at 8-1, avenged an earlier 6-3 loss to Centennial.
“We came into this game knowing it was a big one, and definitely didn’t want to get swept or anything,” Borden said. “They’re a big rival.”
