"Only five balls were put in play" said head coach Anthony Gilich after a season opening 9-0 win over Utah State Eastern in Nevada on Friday night.

Starter Shane Spencer gave up an infield chopper to a very fast USE runner as a base hit and had his slider/splitter exactly where he wanted it, which was where he got a lot of swing and misses, in a masterful performance. 

"We had him on a pitch count like we do with our guys early in every season" said Gilich.

"75 pitches, he was outstanding."

The chopper was the only base hit for USE in the game and only four other balls were put in play in nine full innings, and only one left the infield.

Central's relievers combined for a "JD" to complete the game.

Liam Evans and Evan Harmon had strikeouts for every out in their appearances, as did two-way player JD McLaughlin last year. Last year McLaughlin had an amazing 27.0 K/9 number in just 3.2 innings, but he struck out all 11 outs. 

Evans threw 2.1 and had seven strikeouts, and Harmon struck out the side in the ninth.

Vaqueros pitching had 22 strikeouts on the night.

The Golden Eagles had a nice pitching night as well, despite giving up nine runs, only three were earned.

"Yes they had a couple of pretty good pitchers" said Gilich.

Catcher Trey Newman drove in three runs with a double and single and third baseman Devon Dixon drove in two with a double also. 

Kiko Romero, Logan Valencia, and Chase Valentine each stole bases and the top four Central batters drew six walks between them, with a team total of nine.

Central continues it's Border Battle Saturday with two games at host College of Southern Nevada. Tyler Woessner and Tyson Heaton will start.