Centre opens SCAC play against Oglethorpe University

The Centre College baseball team opened conference play against Oglethorpe University, Friday, March 23 at Anderson Field in Atlanta, Georgia. The Colonels broke their six game losing streak by defeating the Stormy Petrels 12-1 in the first of a four game series.

The Colonels looked on point this game as they took they lead in the opening inning. Sophomore Jake Jones (Griffin, Ga.) smashed a home run and got himself and senior Eric Moore (Bowling Green, Ky.) safely around the bases. The Colonels made sure to protect their early lead and shutout the Petrels in the first three innings. Centre increased it's lead in the top of the third when it brought in two more runs to bring the count to 4-0. Moore batted in senior Andy Placido (Nicholasville, Ky.) and Jones struck again and drove in junior Ben Jeffers (New Albany, Ohio). In the top of the fourth Centre brought in it's fifth run of the game when Placido cracked one to right field to get freshmen Kai Leathers (Franklin, Ky.) home.

Oglethorpe brought in its only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 5-1. The Colonels made sure the game was out of reach for the Petrels the following inning when they brought in two more runs, bringing the count to 7-1. Jones batted in his third run of the game when he singled down the right side to get Jeffers home. Senior Kyle Rakes (Ashland, Ky.) drove in Moore for the second run of the inning.

Centre shutout Oglethorpe the rest of the game but continued to bring in runs. In the sixth inning sophomore Jeffrey Williams (Knoxville, Tenn.) sent Placido home and Moore doubled to center field to get Williams around the diamond. In the top of the seventh the Colonels finished scoring after junior Kevin McGee (Louisville, Ky.) reached home of an error and Moore batted in two runners, Williams and Placido, to bring the final tally to 12.

Junior John Herbert (Louisville, Ky.) earned the win for the Colonels. He pitched the entire game allowing only one run off five hits. He also came away with six strikeouts.

Six different Centre batters had hits in the game. Placido came away with four hits while Moore and Jones each had three. Moore and Jones also batted in four runners.

Centre, 7-9, faces Oglethorpe again Saturday, March 24 in a doubleheader at Anderson Field in Atlanta Georgia starting at 1pm.