-Blade Vaqueros Baseball Beat

(Yuma) - If you're playing Central, you almost would rather be the visitor, because if you're the home team, by the time you get up the first time, you're probably already down at least two runs.

Now is that any way to begin a baseball game?

Behind the 8-ball before you even get to hit?

Central popped in three top-of the-first-inning runs in the first game on Saturday afternoon, then two in the top of the first in game two. That top of the order really seems to waste no time getting on the board, and it's been happening all season, a great credit to the top of the Vaquero batting order, no matter who it is that day.

But to boot, when you finally do get up for the first time, there's Tug walking to the mound.

Or Steitz.

or Millas.

Or __________ (fill in the blank).

These games were featured on ESPN+ TV as the NJCAA games of the week, and really, they weren't really what most would call good games, but they sure were a sight to see.

The finals Saturday were 9-0 and 11-1.

Mario Bejarano closes game two out on Saturday-courtesy ESPN+

In game one, Central had an 8-0 lead after four innings.

Starter Matt Wilkinson ended up throwing five and a third, striking out ten batters, walking one and giving up one hit, what you would call dominating.

Tug is now 9-0 with an ERA 1.04. It's almost silly. To the point of where you feel succesfull as an opponent if you score one run on the guy.

The Central hitters collected eight hits in the seven-inning game, Bejarano with two of them, catcher Lou Albrecht and first baseman Blake Avila doubled, and while eight hits is pretty good for seven innings, the Vaqueros also collected seven walks.

A very efficient 9-0 whitewash. With Jasiah George finishing up this one, it was a one-hitter.

In game two, it was 10-0 after six innings behind starter Patrick Steitz and five more walks and eight more hits. Marcus Harrison and catcher Blake Young doubled, Harrison's double being a bases clearing rip. He also added a sacrifice fly.

Is it me or were Steitz and last years's teammate Shane Spencer separated at birth?

At the very least, they have the same build, tall and skinny.

And surely both as effective as the other.

Steitz is now 8-1 with an ERA of 1.27.

Luke Meyers K pitch in relief in Game 2 Saturday.

The Vaqueros now move to 42-6 and 29-3 in conference play, giving them a seven game lead.

Next up: South Mountain Community College for two nine-inning game this Tuesday and Wednesday.