Central sophomore Hayley Tanner was the winning pitcher in both games Thursday as the Lady Tigers swept their Class 2A district playoff series against Hulbert. (Mike Erwin•TIMES)
Playing on their home diamond, the Lady Tigers defeated Hulbert 11-3 in the first game before clinching the title with a 6-0 shutout in Game 2.
Tanner, a sophomore right-hander, tossed a complete-game shutout in the second contest to collect her second win of the day.
“Hayley threw real well and she was hitting her spots. She gave up seven hits, but they were scattered,” said Central head coach Kevin Rodden.
Senior catcher Kellie Alexander delivered a pair of big hits to power Central to the win. After her RBI single drove in Liz Herrera in the fourth inning, Alexander doubled with the bases loaded in the fourth inning to drive in three more runs.
The victory pushed Central’s record to 7-13 on the season. Next up for the Lady Tigers is the 2A regional tournament at a site to be announced on Monday.
Central 11, Hulbert 3
The Lady Tigers broke open a tied game with eight runs in the sixth inning to win Game 1 of their district series against Hulbert.
Laci Gabbert got the big inning going when she doubled and eventually came home when three consecutive Central batters drew walks. Kara Alexander belted a two-run single, Tanar Sigel singled in two more runs and Kellie Alexander smacked a three-run triple to make it 11-3.
