TYLER -- Tyler Lee dropped its first District 11-6A game of the season Tuesday in a 7-5 loss to Lakeview Centennial at Mike Carter Field.

The wild thing is, the Red Raiders were responsible for pushing 11 of the game's 12 runs across the plate. Centennial scored five runs in the top of the second inning without a single hit and added the game-winning tally in the third frame thanks to a wild pitch.

"We fought well the second half of the ball game," Lee head coach James Boxley said. "You get yourself in a hole and then you've got to fight, fight and fight to try to work out. We ran out of time and got into a little of a too big hole to overcome."

Tyler Lee pitcher Tullis Greer looks back at first base.
Lee pitcher Tullis Greer checks first base, hoping for a pick off out in the midst of Centennial's big second inning.
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Centennial (12-4, 2-1) loaded the bases with two outs in the top second. All three runners reached on walks, including two to start the inning.

Shortstop and nine-hole hitter Corey Murray got the five-spot going by drawing the frame's fourth walk on four pitches to force a run home. Kamron Fields forced in the second run with another four-pitch walk. Justin Barker made it a 3-0 game by drawing a third consecutive walk on a 3-1 count.

That's where Lee's starting pitcher got the hook and reliever Luke Hamilton took over after a start in left field.

Catcher Jim McCabe, as the ninth batter of the inning, appeared to ground out to the Lee shortstop, but an errant throw to first base allowed two more runners to reach home safely for a 5-0 lead.

The Red Raiders (9-5, 2-1) stranded a runner at first base in their share of the second frame.

Centennial second baseman Blake Strunk reached base safely on a no-out sacrifice bunt attempt and fielder's choice at second base. He took advantage of two wild pitches during Maliek Phillips' at-bat to reach third base.

Phillips then drew a full count walk for Centennial's seventh free pass.

Another wild pitch the following at-bat allowed Strunk to be the winning run.

Hamilton pitched scoreless fourth and fifth innings before he was shut down in a 6-3 game and placed back in the outfield.

"Luke did a great job competing out there," Boxley said. "That's certainly all we ask everybody to do. He did give up some free passes and they had some guys in scoring position, but he kept competing, battling and getting himself out."

Lee jumped back into the game with a three-run bottom of the fourth.

Mitchell NeJame's one-out double got the comeback bid started. A Centennial fielding error afterward placed NeJame at third base and Rhett Parker at second base.

Zach Fernandez's line drive over second base plated NeJame before Hamilton hit a two-RBI double to the left field warning track. Unfortunately, Hamilton was tagged trying to extend his hit into a triple and the inning ended one pitch later.

Centennial extended its lead to 7-3 in the sixth. McCabe knocked in Fields, who tripled to start the inning.

The Red Raiders added two runs in the bottom sixth. Parker Bramlett hit a bases loaded, two-RBI single through the left gap before he and Mason Parker were stranded.

Rhett Parker got on base in the seventh inning with two outs. The game ended with a fly ball to right field.

Marcus Pugh earned the win on the mound for Centennial. He allowed five hits and hit one batter while enduring three defensive errors through 63 pitches and 4 2/3 innings of work.

Both squads are now tied in the upper-middle pack among the eight district teams with 11 league games remaining for all teams.

Centennial will host Garland Naaman Forest at 7 p.m. Thursday while Lee simultaneously travels to Garland ahead of the Easter break.

"We're fine," Boxley said. "Certainly nobody is going to go clean through this district. It is a tough district. We're still in good shape. We've just got to get it right for us."

Tyler Lee Zach Fernandez streches out in attemp to make a catch.
Red Raiders right fielder Zach Fernandez stretches out for the first out of the seventh inning.
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Lakeview Centennial 7, Tyler Lee 5

District 11-6A
At Mike Carter Field, Tyler

Centennial     051    001    0    --    7    5   3
Lee                000    302    0    --    5   7    1

Pitchers and catchers
  • Centennial: Macrus Pugh, Jim McCabe (5) and McCabe, Jared Hreha [sic]
  • Lee: Tullis Greer, Luke Hamilton (2), Kade Keener (6) and Marc Schwartz
  • WP -- Pugh
  • LP -- Greer
  • -- McCabe
Doubles
  • Centennial: Alex Bean
  • Lee: Hamilton, Mitchell NeJame, Schwartz
Triples
  • Centennial: Kamron Fields

 

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