Central’s Dalton Campbell dives back to the bag in front of Vian first baseman Hunter Spencer during Monday afternoon’s baseball game. (Mike Erwin•TIMES)
The Big Eight Conference victory pushed Vian’s record to 16-10, but it took a big inning in the fifth for the Wolverines to pull away.
Clinging to a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth, Vian loaded the bases as Colton Noeldner and Billy Monholland hit singles and Dillon Craghead was hit by a pitch. Zach Truett followed them with a two-run single to right field to make it 6-2. Taylor was the next batter and he swatted a a three-run shot over the fence in left field. Moments later, Peoples launched a solo home run to the same spot and Vian led 10-2. The homers was the third of the season for both players. Vian tacked on another run when Hunter Spencer scored from third base on an error later in the inning.
Peoples capped a two-hit afternoon in the bottom of the sixth with a walkoff double that scored John Steely to bring the run rule into effect.
Vian tallied a dozen base hits, led by a 3-for-5 effort from leadoff batter Truett. The pitcher helped his cause with three singles and three RBIs. Taylor had two hits and three RBIs while Peoples was 2-for-2, reached base four times and drove in two runs. Spencer added an RBI double, Craghead hit an RBI single and Steely had a double in the victory.
Truett picked up the win after going the full six innings on the mound. The right-hander earned his fourth win by striking out seven and walking none.
Central totaled eight hits, including two apiece by Shade Kutil, Dalton Campbell and Taylor Davidson. All three players had one double and one single.
Central took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning. Kutil looped a two-out single into shallow left field and scored on an RBI double off the bat of senior third baseman Campbell. Senior catcher Kyler Ekberg followed with an RBI double to center field to hand the Tigers the advantage.
It didn’t last long, though, as Vian first baseman Spencer stroked a double to deep center field, driving in Peoples to make it 2-2 in the bottom of the third.
Truett’s RBI single broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth and Steely raced home on an error to give the Wolverines a 4-2 edge.
Both teams are getting ready for the postseason, which begins with district playoffs next week. Central will host a Class 2A district series against Porum beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30. Vian will host a 3A series against Westville at a time yet to be determined.
