For the second time this season, the Saugus Centurions relied on the big inning against the Canyon Cowboys.
Behind an offensive outburst, the Centurions defeated the Cowboys, 16-6, on a breezy Wednesday afternoon at Saugus High.
Nine Centurions recorded a hit, tallying 15 on the day – nine for extra bases – including two home runs.
“What I liked was (hitting) all the way through the lineup,” said Saugus coach John Maggiora.
In the Foothill League opener, Saugus (7-14 overall, 3-3 in Foothill) scored eight runs in the seventh to comeback and beat Canyon.
This time around, the scoring started much sooner.
The Centurions broke the game open in the third frame, scoring 10 runs on seven hits, including a team cycle. Michael Frazier hit a three-run home run to right centerfield, while Austin Scott and Brandyn Cruz each added two-RBI doubles.
“We’ve been notorious all year for giving up the big inning,” said Canyon coach Drew Peterson. “We have to be able to limit the damage right there and make a few little plays to get out of that inning.”
Saugus pitcher Tony Jacob Jr. picked up win, as he tossed four innings in relief.
Davis Brown started for the Centurions, but Maggiora said he had a gut feeling to turn to Jacob Jr. in the third.
The sophomore left-hander delivered, as he allowed one run and three hits and struck out three before turning the ball over to David Fernandez in the seventh.
“After (getting a lead) I just wanted to throw strikes,” Jacob Jr. said. “That’s all I had to do,”
The Centurions added four runs in the fourth and one in the fifth, highlighted by Chase Lindemann’s two-run double and Kyle Dawson’s solo home run.
“I got ahead in lot of the counts and waited for the good fastball to hit,” said Lindemann, who finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. “It was good to have guys before me get on so I could produce.”
Dawson finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored, while Frazier went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored. JP Flores added a 2-for-4 day with two runs scored and an RBI for the Centurions.
Trailing 16-2, Canyon (1-18, 0-6) plated four runs in the seventh.
Nick Jenkins’ third extra-base hit of the day drove in C.J. Dowell, and Noah Blythe followed with a two-run double to score Charles Harrison and Jenkins.
Jenkins finished 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored, while Dowell went 3-for-4 with one run scored.
“I told them in the postgame to feed off those last few innings,” Peterson said. “Bring that momentum into (the next game).”
The series finale between the Centurions and Cowboys is today at 3:30 p.m. at Canyon.
