The Cyclones put together a commanding performance defeating Earlham College 11-2 in Fort Pierce, Florida. The Cyclones' offense erupted for five runs in the third inning, giving them a lead they would not relinquish. With 13 hits and capitalizing on four Earlham errors, Centenary controlled the game from start to finish.
Leading the offensive charge was catcher
Nick Payne, who had an outstanding day at the plate, going 4-for-6 with three doubles, four runs scored, and an RBI. Payne also collected his 100th career hit. Shortstop
Myles Castillo contributed with a 2-for-6 effort, driving in a run and stealing a base.
Dominick Chiego and Andy Briggs each added RBIs to extend Centenary's lead, while
Greg Carrillo and
Derek DePace also drove in crucial runs. The Cyclones' aggressive base running and timely hitting proved too much for Earlham's defense to handle.
On the mound, starting pitcher
Jake Keenan was dominant, tossing six shutout innings while allowing just two hits and striking out seven batters. He kept Earlham's offense in check, securing his first win of the season. Relievers
Matt Perine,
Anthony Aguilera, and
Adam Yarrison combined to close out the game, limiting Earlham to just two runs on one hit over the final three innings.
With this impressive victory, Centenary improves to 5-5-1 on the season and looks to build on their momentum. Their next matchup will be another test as they continue their Florida trip, seeking to maintain their strong offensive production and reliable pitching performances.
