SUNSET REGION: Bulldogs fend off bees, Panthers to earn state berth

A swarm of bees threatened to derail Centennial’s softball season Saturday.

Fortunately for the Bulldogs, sophomore Lauren Stroman’s bat had a much bigger sting.

Stroman went 4-for-5 with eight RBIs as the Bulldogs fought back after wasting a 9-0 lead and posted a 17-12 victory over archrival Palo Verde in the Sunset Region title game at Bishop Gorman.

Centennial (30-7) won its first region title since 2004, but will make its third trip to the state tournament in the last four seasons when it heads to Reno this week.

“It reminded me of an old heavyweight fight — haymakers, 12 rounds, both of us near death,” said Centennial coach Mike Livreri, who celebrated his 40th birthday Saturday. “I’m exaggerating, but I’m not. I have nothing but respect for Palo Verde, but I’m glad to have them in our rearview mirror.”

The Bulldogs appeared to be cruising to victory with a 9-0 lead after two innings until a swarm of bees invaded right field in the top of the third, causing a delay of nearly 10 minutes.

Centennial starter Taylor Huntly lost her rhythm and her command, and Palo Verde took full advantage, scoring nine runs on seven hits in the third to tie the game.

“Weird things happen sometimes in games. I mean bees ... are you kidding?” Livreri said. “You lose a 9-0 lead, and you’re going, 'What in the world?’ We just tried to calm down and knew there was a lot of game left.”

Palo Verde (27-11) took a 12-11 lead on Rachel Williams’ RBI single in the top of the fifth.

That’s when Stroman took over. Already with a bases-clearing double in the first inning, she blasted a three-run triple to right-center in the bottom of the fifth to put Centennial back on top, 14-12.

Stroman added a two-run single as the Bulldogs added three runs in the sixth.

“She was just enormous today,” Livreri said. “Lauren is just a great at-bat. She’s got a lot of pop.”

Batting seventh in the lineup, Stroman came up with 12 runners on base in her five at-bats, and brought home nine of them — one on a double play that didn’t count for an RBI.

“The ball was just looking huge to me,” said Stroman, who entered the game hitting .508 with 26 RBIs. “I wasn’t worried about striking out. I’ve played with these guys my whole life.”

Kate Rauskin pitched 4 1/3 innings of relief for Centennial, throwing 97 pitches in a game that featured 31 hits and 278 pitches and lasted 2 hours, 23 minutes.

“Kate showed a lot today,” Livreri said. “She wasn’t scared of the moment.”

Madison Henzlik went 4-for-5 with a double, and Alyssa Finger was 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs for Centennial, which also got two hits and three RBIs from No. 9 hitter Bailie Nelson.

Melissa Lacro slugged two home runs and had five RBIs for Palo Verde. Williams was 3-for-5 for the Panthers.