The season came to an end for the Mattoon baseball team Wednesday afternoon. Centennial rallied for a 3-1 victory to move into the Regional championship game.
The game was scoreless heading into the fourth inning. Will Courtney drew a lead-off walk for Mattoon. After a pair of strikeouts, Courtney went to second on a wild pitch. Tucker Rappe’s RBI-single plated the game’s first run and the Green Wave had a 1-0 advantage.
It stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth inning. The top-seeded Chargers started the inning with a double by Matt Davis. Kellen Sarver, who was trying to sacrifice, ended up with a bunt single as he placed the ball perfectly down the third base line. After Sarver stole second base, Centennial had runners at second and third with nobody out. Luke Smith hit a high pop up on the right side of the diamond. On a windy day, the Mattoon infielders had a tough time staying with it. The ball fell in fair territory behind first base. Davis came across with the tying run. Mattoon pitcher Sawyer Scott retired Jordan Williams and Dalton Webber on fly balls to center. It looked like the Green Wave might get out of the inning in a 1-1 tie. However, Chris Monroe, the Chargers’ designated hitter, lined a double down the left field line. It was his second two-bagger of the game and it plated two runs. Centennial went on top 3-1.
Mattoon put the tying runs on base in the top of the seventh, but Centennial was able to preserve the victory by stranding the runners at first and second.
Alec Thomas was the winning pitcher for the Chargers. He went six innings, allowing one run on just one base hit. He walked three and fanned six. Sarver pitched the seventh inning to get the save. Sawyer Scott took the tough loss for Mattoon. He pitched six innings, allowed three runs on seven hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
The Green Wave’s season ends with a record of 19-11. Centennial advances with a mark of 25-8.
