SUNSET REGION: Moses guts out win for Centennial

Centennial’s Casey Moses had his fortitude tested Tuesday at Spring Valley.

The senior right-hander missed practice on Monday with severe vomiting and stomach problems, but the Bulldogs sent him out to the mound anyway.

Moses’ resilience paid off, as Centennial rode his solid performance to secure a 6-3 victory in the opening round of the Class 4A Sunset Region playoffs.

“I had the stomach flu the past few days and got sent home early from practice, as they told me I needed to rest,” Moses said. “My catcher, Michael Yenkowski, was calling a great game back there and every inning our coaches were letting me know what to do with the upcoming at-bats.”

Centennial (23-9-1) hosts Durango (16-18) at 3:30 p.m. today. Spring Valley (21-8-1) plays at Cimarron-Memorial (23-7) in an elimination game, also at 3:30.

Centennial took a 3-2 lead into the sixth inning before Bryan Bonnell started a rally by lining a single to left. Tanner Gehring delivered a double to left field to bring home two runs, and Christian Portaro followed with an RBI single to plate Gehring and give Centennial a 6-2 lead.

“Tanner was in for defense and we decided to keep him in for the at-bat,” Centennial coach Charlie Cerrone said. “I have assistant coaches with experience, and I trusted one who had the notion that he (Gehring) was due to come through for us.”

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a double steal, and and RBI single by Yenkowski.

Moses kept the Grizzlies’ hitters at bay and off balance, retiring the first six batters he faced before yielding an RBI single to Michael Macove in the third.

Glen Smith added an RBI single in the fifth, and Spring Valley added a run in the seventh on a fielder’s choice.

Moses pitched the distance, scattering five hits and walking none.

“Casey was throwing on fumes,” Cerrone said. “He did a great job handling all of his pitches. He took more off the ball and spotted it down to do a great job.”

The win was Centennial’s 300th for its baseball program.

Durango 3, Cimarron-Memorial 1 — At Cimarron, Jacob Dismont went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in the fourth that pushed the Trailblazers past the Northwest League champs.

Dante Chavez provided Durango’s only other run with a solo home run, also in the fourth inning.

Anthony Martine threw a five-hitter with three strikeouts and two walks for Durango.

Arbor View 7, Sierra Vista 2 — At Arbor View, Brandon LaPointe went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs as the Aggies topped the Mountain Lions.

Arbor View (30-4) plays at Bishop Gorman (31-2) at 3:30 p.m. today. Sierra Vista (22-11) hosts Shadow Ridge (17-14) in an elimination game, also at 3:30.

Evan McMahan gave up just one earned run while surrendering three hits, striking out 11 batters and walking just one.

McMahan also went 2-for-2 with a run scored. P.J. Gonzalez went 2-for-3 for the Aggies.

Bishop Gorman 10, Shadow Ridge 0 — At Gorman, Cody Roper’s grand slam highlighted a six-run third inning as the Gaels beat the Mustangs in five innings.

The game was scoreless before Gorman’s six-run outburst.

Kenny Meimerstorf and Joey Gallo each added a home run and two RBIs, and Johnny Sewald went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs for the Gaels.

Roper and Jerrel Latham combined on a two-hitter.