For the first time in Gavin Diaz’s career, the junior left-hander tossed a complete game en route to the Centurions’ 7-1 win at home over the Golden Valley Grizzlies Wednesday.
“Diaz keeps throwing the ball well for us,” Saugus head coach Mike Miller said. “Pitched really well, just executed, pitched and kept us in the game and he’s just been doing what he’s done for us all year.”
Diaz, who tossed three scoreless innings to begin the game, held the Grizzlies (11-10, 2-7) at bay throughout the day.
After the game, Diaz spoke on the career milestone and added that his goal was to just throw strikes.
“I just worked really hard these past couple of weeks on the mound,” Diaz said. “I had a goal to just throw strikes, dominate and do what I can.”
Diaz ended the day with five strikeouts, three hits allowed, and one unearned run in the fourth inning for the Grizzlies’ lone score of the day.
As for the Centurions’ offense, it was another big day for Saugus as the team tagged seven runs with 10 hits in the game.
The Centurions (12-10, 8-3) lead the Foothill League in runs scored and scored 49 runs in the month of April.
Senior Matt Carta led the Centurions at the plate as he ended the day 2-for-4 along with a run driven in.
Miller believes the offense is clicking at the right time as the Centurions play their final Foothill League game of the season on Friday.
Possibly ending the season with a 9-3 league record, the opportunity to earn at least a share of the Foothill League title is at play for Miller’s team as the Centurions currently hold first place in the standings.
But all Miller is looking forward to is ending the league season with another win and the most momentum possible and playing their best baseball.
“It’s a big game for us. I mean, every league game is a big game,” Miller said. “The Foothill is a gauntlet. It’s hard. We have to come with the approach that it’s going to be a tough game because it’s a Foothill League game and we need to be ready to go.”
The series between the Grizzlies and Centurions concludes on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
After Wednesday’s games, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
Castaic 7, Hart 5: The Coyotes (16-8, 6-3) secured a home win over the visiting Hawks (10-11-1, 5-3-1,) and jumped to third in the Foothill League standings.
The Coyotes remain in position to earn at least a share of the Foothill League title should they win out, but will be challenged to finish the series with a sweep against the Hawks on Friday at Hart High School with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Valencia 10, Canyon 0: The Vikings (9-12-1, 4-4-1) secured a much-needed win over the Cowboys (8-14, 0-9) and kept Valencia’s postseason hopes alive.
The Vikings remained in fifth place in the Foothill League standings with the win but are one game behind the fourth-place Hart Hawks.
The series between the Vikings and Cowboys picks up on Friday at Valencia High School for the series finale with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
