Centennial vs. Independence

FRISCO, TX - As we continue to make our way around this great state, we do get a number of opportunities to catch games off of the regular Tuesday/Friday schedule. On Monday, we got to see Frisco Centennial host Frisco Independence in what was supposed to be a 5 pm start. Both starters were hot and each team had taken pregame in-and-out, but an hour delay in the attendance of umpires pushed the first pitch back to 6 pm. Either way, this game didn’t disappoint.

The Titans got the scoring started in the bottom of the first with an RBI triple from 2019 CF Shane Wilson and an RBI double from 2021 3B Ethan Long. Independence answered in the top half of the second on an RBI single to right center off the bat of Zach Bowerman.

In the top of the fourth, Independence loaded the bases with no outs, but Centennial starter Mitchell Szczygiel got a pop up, line out, and a punchout to end the inning. That big swing in momentum carried over to the bottom of the fourth for the Titans, when they put up a 3 spot thanks to an RBI single from 2021 1B Nate Hopkins, and an RBI double off the left field wall from 2019 SS Weston Symes.

After Szczygiel worked out of another jam in the fifth by only allowing one run on an HBP, the score was Centennial 5, Independence 3. But the Titans added to their lead in the fifth when 2021 C Matt Nelson hit a seed to right field, driving in a run. Then RF Cooper Ruckel laid down a safety squeeze with one out to expand the lead to 7-3 in favor of Centennial.

In the top of the 6th, 2021 Alan Benhardt doubled to right field with one, and moved up to third on a dirt ball, then catcher Hunter Longoria had an RBI ground out to cut the lead to 7-4.

On to the seventh they went, where the Knights got a lead off single, followed by an error and an RBI ground out from nine hole hitter Lane Butler, bringing the top of the order - and the tying run to the plate. After a fielders choice ground out from leadoff man Zach Bowerman, the Centennial lead had been cut to one, but Cooper Ruckel got a strikeout to end the game. Final Score: Centennial 7, Independence 6.

With the win, Centennial is now 4-7 in District, while Independence is now 7-4.

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STATS
Centennial
Szczygiel: (W) 5 IP, 108 TP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 K, 2 BB. Hit: 1-4
Symes: 2-4, 2B, RBI
Wilson: 2-3, 3B, RBI, 2 R
Nelson: 2-2, 2B, RBI, 2 R
Long: 2-3, 2B, RBI
Ruckel: 2-2, 2B, RBI, R

Independence
Bowerman: 1-5, 3 RBI
Benhardt: 1-4, 2B
Longoria: 2-4, RBI, R
Peden: 2-4
O’Neil: 2-3, R
Thomas: 2-3, 2 R
Sonoda: 2-4, R
Butler: 0-2, 2 RBI

SCOUT NOTES

The 4-thru-8 hitters in Independence’s lineup recorded 10 of their 12 hits on Monday night, with each collecting two a piece, but it was nine hole hitter Lane Butler, and leadoff man Zach Bowerman who cashed in, driving in five runs between the two of them.

Centennial has a solid group with a number of underclassman that played well. 2020 OF/RHP Cooper Ruckel made a couple of nice plays in right field, tracking down balls toward the line and showing the ability to go get it. The right-hander closed out the game with two innings of relief and when facing the tying run in the seventh, handled the moment with poise. He also had double and an RBI on safety squeeze bunt. Then there are three sophomores that have a physical presence with 2021 C Matt Nelson, 2021 1B Nate Hopkins, and 2021 3B Ethan Long. All three contributed offensively, and all three look as though their bats are going to draw attention moving forward. 2019 CF Shane Wilson covers ground in the outfield and squared up multiple balls, including a triple. 2019 SS Weston Symes(Navarro JC) hits leadoff and is a twitchy athlete that can pick it in the middle. He had two knocks last night, a double off the left field wall and a scorched single through the left side.