Eagles take on Blue Gators May 6

There will be no surprises in Wednesday’s second-round playoff game when Central Catholic hosts District 7-1A foe Ascension Episcopal.
CCHS (21-4), the sixth-seed, beat Episcopal (20-9), the 11th-seed, twice in the regular season 9-2 and 4-1.
“They are an up and coming team in our district, very well coached and won’t beat themselves,” Central Catholic Coach Tyler Jensen said. “But, I don’t feel like we played very well in our games against them. We let them hang around too long in both games; we need to have that killer instinct this game and jump right on them. We needed to put pressure on them right away.”
In the second regular season game, the Eagles flew out 12 times looking for big hits.
“We stressed keeping our hips closed and driving the ball back up the box this week,” Jensen said. “We can’t get focused on trying to hit home runs just because the pitcher is hittable.”
Central Catholic had just one strikeout in the game.
Episcopal beat rival Ascension Christian, 13-10, in first-round playoff action.
“They put pressure on you by putting balls in play on the ground,” Jensen said. “They make you make the routine plays, hoping you struggle.”
Jensen hopes a big Central Catholic turnout will spark the Eagles and rattle the Blue Gators.
“It’s our last home game no matter what,” he said. “I’m hoping to see a big Central Catholic turnout that will show the young Episcopal team what it feels like in a real playoff atmosphere.”
Central Catholic pounded Delhi Charter into submission, 19-0, in first-round playoff action Thursday at home.
The Eagles scored seven runs in the first inning and 11 runs in the second en route to a run-rule stoppage in the fifth inning. Central Catholic played its entire roster.
Greg Leger got the start for the Eagles, tossing three innings with six strikeouts and two base-on-balls. Blake Hidalgo came in relief, throwing two innings with five strikeouts.
The leading hitters for Central Catholic were Stefano Guarisco, 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run; Adam Dupuis, 1-for-1 with three runs; Samuel Guarisco, 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs; Mitchell Lemoine, 2-for-2 with three runs; and Thomas Garber, 2-for-2, an RBI and three runs.
Also contributing to the totals were Charlie Solar, 1-for-1 and an RBI; Patrick Barron, 2-for-2, an RBI and three runs; T.J. Ruffin, 1-for-3, three RBIs and two runs; Charlie Barron, 2-for-2, four RBIs and two runs; Leger, 2-for-3 with four RBIs; and Matthew Barbier, 0-for-1 with two RBIs.
“The kids are ready to get out there and play ball,” Jensen said. “Most of the guys only played two innings last week, so they want more action.”
First pitch is 5:30 p.m. at the Amelia Recreation Center.
--By CORWIN MURRAY