Centennial’s bittersweet spring on the back burner

Spencer Patterson

Friday, July 26, 2002 | 10:10 a.m.

The 2002 prep baseball season had all the makings of a dream year for Centennial High School. Until the state championship game, that is.

Favored to win the title after entering with a 34-6 record, the Bulldogs held a 7-2 lead in May's finale, only to watch Wooster rally for an 8-7 extra-inning victory.

With that disappointment in the back of their minds, Centennial's players have spent the summer season focused on capturing another title, the 2002 American Legion state trophy.

With the regular season drawing to a close, that goal appears attainable. The Bulldogs already have clinched a spot in the upcoming Legion State Tournament.

"Not that you need vengeance, but they do want to carry it one step further," Centennial Legion coach Kirk Primas said. "The first week or so it was hard knowing how close they were (to winning), but that's changed. They tried hard and got beat, and that's a great lesson in life."

Though their success has been similar, Centennial's summer version has done its winning quite differently from its spring counterpart. Known for their high-powered offense during the school year, the Bulldogs are now doing it with pitching, defense and by manufacturing their runs.

With only one graduated senior -- third baseman Chris Bonnell -- playing this summer, and with designated hitter J.C. Leach hampered by injuries, Centennial has sent a series of different lineups onto the field.

"I approach it as development for the high school season," Primas said. "Everybody has played, and I give a lot of different kids a lot of innings (to pitch)."

Bonnell, a Sun All-State first-teamer in 2002, has continued to lead the way offensively, leading his squad in hitting. He has received help from outfielder Rob Arata, as well as catcher Bryce Massanari, shortstop Danny Ramirez and second baseman Andy Primas.

Jordan Smiley, Trent McFarland and Brian Simpson have anchored a solid pitching staff, with all three coming out of the bullpen and starting at times.