Kernels Make Waves in First Week
Following a deep playoff run last year and historic success at the Legion level, expectations for the Centura/ Fullerton/ Central City baseball team are high this season. Last Monday, the Kernels lived up to those expectations by toppling Class A Omaha South 9-6 on opening day.
Early RBIs from Ashton Gragg, Justice Peterson, Kellen Fries, and Carter Noakes gave the Kernels a commanding 5-1 lead after three innings of play. However, Omaha South wouldn’t go down without a fight. Alex Tapia drove in one run in the bottom of the fourth frame. Then, after a scoreless inning from Centura/Fullerton/ Central City, Omaha South put three of their first four batters on base in the bottom of the fifth.
Things finally started to click for the Omaha South batters when Caleb Williams and Jose Lora belted back-to-back singles, clearing the bases and evening the tally at 5-5 going into the sixth inning.
The Kernels were shut out in their half of the inning and then, after trailing for five-and-a-half frames, the Packers took their first lead of the game. After a leadoff walk and a stolen base, Jeremy Hamilton put a ground ball in play, causing a fielding error, which allowed Tapia to snag home plate to give South the 6-5 advantage going into the final inning.
Centura/Fullerton/Central City needed runs, and they needed them fast. With the middle of the lineup due at the plate, Gragg and Peterson gave their team the start they needed with consecutive base hits to put runners on second and third base.
With the game on the line, Nolan Hurt and Kellen Fries stepped into the batter’s box and both delivered. Hurt blooped a single to center field and Fries put a sacrifice fly deep into the outfield, driving in two runs to take a 7-6 advantage.
Before the Packers were able to find the final out, the Kernels would extend their lead to three runs after a line drive double from Noakes.
Pitching in relief, Bosten Caspersen was tasked with closing the game and did so in flawless fashion. Caspersen needed just four pitches to record the first two outs, then worked a long at bat with Lora resulting in a six-pitch strikeout.
Earning hits for the Kernels were Noakes, Gragg, Peterson, Hurt, and Riley Lavene. Blake Jensen drew four walks and scored one run in his five plate appearances.
Jacob Ruhl got the starting pitching nod and gave the Kernels 3.2 strong innings on the mound, surrendering just two hits and one earned run while recording two strikeouts. Gragg threw 1.1 innings in relief, and Caspersen closed out the final six outs without allowing a hit.
One day later, the Kernels notched their second win of the year, downing Guardian Angels Central Catholic/ Scribner- Snyder/ West Point-Beemer (GACC-SS-WPB) 8-4.
The Kernels built a 5-3 lead after four innings, but GACC-SS-WPB chopped the deficit to one run in the sixth. Then, after three walks in the bottom half of the frame, Blake Jensen made the most crucial play of the night with a line drive double to right field, clearing the base paths and giving his team an 8-4 advantage.
Once again, Caspersen was called upon to close out the seventh inning and racked up his second save in two days. The senior forced the first two batters to ground out before striking out Gavin Kreikemeier on five pitches to secure the victory.
Peterson led the Kernels at the plate with two hits and two runs. Also earning hits were Noakes, Jensen, Ruhl, and Gragg.
Through 3.1 innings on the mound, starting pitcher Barrett Fries allowed two earned runs and one hit. Peterson, Connor Erickson, and Caspersen all made relief appearances, surrendering just one combined run and two hits.
After a showdown with Hastings on Monday, March 27th, the Kernels will look to keep their winning streak alive as they host Hastings Adams Central on Thursday, March 30th at 4:30 p.m.