LONGVIEW, Texas – For the second-straight game, a four spot in the ninth inning helped seal a win. Only this time, it came after the home team tied the game in the eighth.
The Gents took an early 3-0, saw it slip away in the eighth, only to put up four runs in the final frame as Centenary (6-0) knocked off LeTourneau (1-4) 7-3 Saturday afternoon, February 13.
The Gents started the scoring in the top of the second, loading the bases with nobody out. Senior Dakota Brown hit a ground ball to the shortstop, allowing junior Aaron Quintanilla to score the first run of the game. With runners at the corners, freshman Colten Maples laid down a bunt which scored sophomore Cole Lavergne.
An error by first baseman Jacob Simmons of Letourneau allowed freshman Cameron Guin to reach first base, as Brown scored to put the Gents up 3-0.
This game was a pitcher's duel for the majority of the game, as Gents sophomore Jackie Allen held the YellowJackets scoreless through the first seven innings.
However, the YellowJackets scored three runs on Allen in the eighth. After a one out single and walk, Taylor Empkey hit a double into left field, cutting the lead to 3-1 with runners on second and third and just one out. Reliever Michael Francis (2-0) came in and recorded a strikeout, leaving runners on second and third with two outs. A ground ball up the middle off the bat of Kyle Jacobs was stopped by a diving Maples, but both runners were able to score as the ball rolled away momentarily, knotting the game at three.
The Gents bats came alive again in the ninth inning, responding with four runs. After a leadoff double by sophomore Ian Graham, he stole third base and came home after a line drive single into left field from Brown. That signaled the end of the day for the YellowJacket's starting pitcher Andrew Harlan (0-1), who threw eight innings, allowing five hits and five runs (four earned), with one walk and one strikeout.
The Gents scored three more in the ninth after a pitching change. Junior Scott Dwyer walked with the bases loaded, extending the Gent lead to 5-3. A ground ball off the bat of sophomore Chris Zapata resulted in a fielder's choice, as the ball got away from Jacket's first baseman Jacob Simmons, scoring both Michael Schimpf and Cameron Guin to put the Gents up 7-3.
Michael Francis picked up the final three outs in the ninth, getting his second win of the season in 1.2 innings of relief. Despite a no decision, Allen threw well for the Gents, going 7.1 innings, allowing just five hits and three earned runs to go along with one walk and three strikeouts.
Gents will conclude play in the Clements Fluid Tournament on Sunday when they take on the eighth-ranked Birmingham Southern Panthers. First pitch is scheduled for noon at Irwin Field in Tyler, Texas.