Centurions snap streak

Prep baseball: Scott’s first home run of season secures win over GV

As Austin Scott’s bat made the cracking sound that precedes a home run, Saugus High baseball’s losing streak seemed to crack in the same instant.

The Cents snapped a three-game skid on Wednesday, shutting out Golden Valley 3-0.

“We’re feeling good,” said Saugus pitcher Brandyn Cruz. “We came out here, tried to stay focused and not think too much about the losing streak and I’m just glad that we got it done.”

Scott’s sixth-inning homer, his first of the season, provided the final run of the game.

“I knew I needed to stay focused,” Scott said. “So when I was up there, I was like, ‘I know if he gives me a fastball right now I’m going to just crush it.’ And it just happened.”

Saugus (4-11 overall, 2-3 in Foothill League) built the foundation for its win in the fourth inning.

Scott hit a sacrifice fly for an RBI, followed by a one-run single from Cruz.

In addition to two hits on the afternoon, Cruz also pitched four innings for the Cents and recorded three strikeouts.

Golden Valley (4-7, 1-4) had a chance to dent the scoreboard in the third inning, then in the fifth. With bases loaded in the third, the Grizzlies were unable to get a hit. Two frames later, Matt Broadwater was tagged out before reaching home.

“…We didn’t score and they got the hits and manufactured the runs when it mattered,” said GV coach Steve Lombardi. “We didn’t do it when we had the chance and they did.”

The Cents closed out the game with a

double-play that got Broadwater out at first and Tristan Lacefield out at second.

“We got the one and I almost thought we were going to throw the ball away right there,” Saugus coach John Maggiora said. “But in a situation like that with a three-run lead, make sure you get that first out, but we were lucky enough to get a double play and get out of it.”

The Grizzlies extended their losing streak to four after the loss.

The Centurions are hoping to keep their energy through spring break.

“It definitely pulled us out of our slump,” Scott said. “It came with the focus that we all provided and it was a great win, definitely a confidence booster and we’re going to take this for the rest of the year.”