Central baseball team reaches Class 4 quarterfinals

The Central High School baseball team fell into an early three-run hole in Tuesday's Class 4 sectional game against visiting Hillsboro.

No big deal for the Tigers.

Central faced a similar three-run deficit against Sikeston in last week's district final and also had to rally against Jackson in the semifinals.

"They were up 3-0 but I wasn't really worried," senior right fielder Trey Gardner said. "We've been in that predicament before. We just had to settle down and get the nerves out."

The Tigers did. They used a seven-run third inning to take control for a 9-5 victory that sends them to their first state quarterfinal appearance since 2000.

LEFT: Central's Trey Gardner slugs an RBI triple against Hillsboro during the sixth inning of the Class 4 sectional game. (FAR LEFT: Central teammates, from left, Andrew Williams, Tyler Anderson, Calvin Lovig and Ramsey Scott (22) celebrate their 9-5 victory over Hillsboro on Tuesday in the Class 4 sectional at Central.)

Central (17-9) will have another home playoff game, Thursday against perennial St. Louis power Vianney (24-8) at a time to be determined today.

Win that one and the Tigers will be in the final four for the first time since capturing the 1994 state championship.

"We're definitely fired up," said senior left-hander Ronnie Scott, Tuesday's winning pitcher.

Hillsboro (12-14), which beat Central 11-6 on May 9 before winning its eight-team district as the No. 8 seed, started strong. The Hawks took advantage of a leadoff error in the top of the first inning to score two unearned runs. They made it 3-0 in the third inning.

"That's the makeup of this team, they don't get scared when they get behind," said Central coach Steve Williams, whose squad trailed Sikeston 3-0 after one-half inning in the district final.

Central center fielder Austin Davis hauls in a fly ball for the final out of the sixth inning during the Tigers' Class 4 sectional game Tuesday against Hillsboro at Central. (Fred Lynch)

The Tigers sent 11 men to the plate during their third-inning explosion. They had five of their eight hits in the frame while also benefiting from two errors and two walks.

Gardner and senior second baseman J.T. Kratochvil delivered two-run singles. Senior third baseman Andrew Williams and junior catcher Ryan Siebert both added RBI singles.

The other hit in the inning was a double by senior left fielder J.P. Huston.

"Everybody looked a little nervous at first," Kratochvil said. "But we were down to Jackson and Sikeston in the district tournament. We weren't worried if we got down."

Scott didn't have his best stuff but worked through five innings, allowing six hits -- two were bunt singles and another an infield single -- while striking out three and walking two. He gave up five runs but just two were earned.

Central's Trey Gardner watches his triple that drove in a run against Hillsboro their Class 4 sectional game Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at Central High School. (Fred Lynch)

"I was kind of nervous coming into the game, but I seemed to settle down," said Scott, who also pitched in the earlier meeting with Hillsboro. "I didn't pitch that well against them last time. I knew I had to pitch better."

Coach Williams thought five innings was enough for Scott on this day. He left with Central ahead 7-5.

"He did a good job and kept us in the lead, but he was struggling with his location," coach Williams said. "They had been through the order three times against him and I thought they had seen him enough.

"I thought it was a good time to go to Calvin."

Sophomore Calvin Lovig might have been a surprise to relieve Scott considering Lovig had not seen much varsity mound action this year. He primarily pitched on the junior varsity level.

But Lovig threw well in relief against Jackson in the district semifinals, and coach Williams didn't hesitate to call on him again.

"We had confidence in him and he did the job again," Williams said.

Lovig hit the first batter he faced but closed out the victory for a well-earned save. He did not allow a hit while striking out two and walking one in two innings.

"I was kind of overwhelmed a little bit. I haven't been in anything that big," Lovig said. "Hitting the first batter wasn't exactly what I wanted to do, but I settled down. It feels really good."

Lovig received two sixth-inning insurance runs, both with two outs. Gardner had an RBI triple and scored on a passed ball.

Gardner and Williams led Central with two hits apiece. Gardner had three RBIs and scored twice.

The Tigers won despite committing four errors. Hillsboro had two errors.

"It wasn't a pretty game. Way too many errors, too many walks," coach Williams said. "But I'm real proud of them the way they handle things, their maturity."

Hillsboro 201 20 0 -- 5 6 2

Central 007 002 x -- 9 8 4

WP -- Ronnie Scott. S -- Calvin Lovig. LP -- Ryan Deckard. 3B -- Trey Gardner (C). 2B -- Deckard (H), J.P. Huston (C). Multiple hits -- Hillsboro: Deckard 2-4, Cody Russell 2-4. Central: Gardner 2-4, Andrew Williams 2-4. Records -- Hillsboro 12-14, Central 17-9.