Kernels Down DC West Again to Stay Alive at State

Central City/Centura stayed alive in the Class C state baseball tournament Tuesday. 

The Kernels defeated DC West for the second time in the tourney, downing the Falcons 6-2.  Central City/Centura starter Connor Erickson held DC West to two runs on six hits over 5.1 innings and escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning with back-to-back strikeouts to preserve the 6-2 lead.  Jake Ruhl pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief as the Kernels improved to 2-1 in the double elimination tourney and 19-8 overall. 

They’ll face top-seeded Malcolm, the defending state champion, today in a 10 a.m. game on 93.5 The Hawk.  If the Kernels win, they’ll need to beat the Clippers in a second game today starting around 1 p.m., which would also be aired on the Hawk. 

Two wins today and Central City/Centura advances to Friday’s championship game at Werner Park.