No. 1 Centennial rides strong arm of Rider

Spencer Patterson

Friday, April 19, 2002 | 9:34 a.m.

The Centennial Bulldogs have ascended to the state's No. 1 baseball ranking this season largely behind their high-octane offense, scoring in double-digits in 19 of their 26 games.

In a key league battle with visiting Palo Verde on Thursday, however, the Bulldogs showed they can do more than mash doubles and home runs. The hosts managed just five hits, but held off the Panthers 5-2 behind a strong outing from senior right-hander Dave Rider.

"We didn't swing it today but I thought we did what good teams need to do: We caught the ball, played good defense and I thought the pitcher did a good job," Centennial coach Charlie Cerrone said.

Rider went the distance to improve to 7-2. He scattered six hits over seven innings, striking out two and walking none in a game that lasted just over an hour-and-a-half despite gusting winds.

"He did a good job of keeping the ball down," Cerrone said. "I think we're pitching better than people realize, even though we have no true ace."

Rider, who no-hit Cheyenne last week, said he and sophomore right-hander Jordan Smiley -- the team's top two starters -- have become accustomed to taking a back seat to the hitters.

"Smiley and I have both had good outings all year, and we've got a great defense behind us, but that gets overlooked all the time," Rider said. "This is a complete team -- no one doesn't do their job."

The Bulldogs (23-4, 3-0 Northwest) broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the second inning, thanks mainly to a pair of Panther errors and two walks from pitcher Matt Wilson, along with a hit batsman. Julius Rivera led off the inning with a triple, and Josh Wheeler produced the inning's only other base hit.

Bryce Massanari walked three times in four plate appearances and chipped in one RBI for the victors, with teammate Tim Wheeler reaching base twice and driving in a run.

Chris Cassell and Josh Conley knocked in a run apiece for Palo Verde (15-13, 2-1). Conley had two of the Panthers' six hits.