Bulldogs still have bite

Adam Candee

Thursday, March 27, 2003 | 9:42 a.m.

Centennial coach Cyndi Castro said her Bulldogs softball team is not yet at the lofty levels set by last year's 4A state runners-up.

There is something, however, about facing a feisty upstart such as previously unbeaten Sierra Vista that awakens the pride in a successful veteran team. When the teams hooked up Wednesday afternoon at Centennial, the old dog displayed a few tricks that the new pup has yet to learn.

Behind a second consecutive sterling pitching performance by Shannon Crisp, Centennial beat the Lions, 5-1, and showed that the magic of last season's 29-2 season may not be far off.

"By far, this is the best game we've played all year long," Castro said.

Although Crisp's pitching always gives the Bulldogs a chance to win, the Centennial (7-3) offense is still catching up. That changed Wednesday, as all but two players recorded at least one hit. Second baseman Tory Healy struck the major blow with a two-run double in the fifth inning that broke open the game.

Crisp needed no more. The junior standout allowed a double to Danielle Martinez to lead off the game, and an RBI single to Stacey Burgos two batters later. Those would be Sierra Vista's only hits, as Crisp mixed her pitches in striking out 15.

Unlike last year, there is no Amy Sauer to take the pressure off Crisp, who struck out 16 Tuesday against Clark and fanned 14 Friday against Bonanza. Crisp is enjoying the challenge.

"I felt that this was a good ballclub and I was going to have to be on my best ballgame to shut them down," Crisp said. "I was pumped up a lot today. A good team, it just gets the fire going."

With the hitting, pitching, and defense arriving at once, Castro exhaled a bit.

"We knew we could do it last year, but we really haven't done it this year," Castro said. "Now, this is the game that has pushed us over the edge."

The Bulldogs reside among the city's elite with Silverado, Coronado, Sierra Vista, Cimarron-Memorial, and others. With just two seniors, however, Castro said her team is still learning how to win.

"We've been learning little things every single game, from mental errors we're making, baserunning errors, hitting errors," she said. "Finally today, it all came together and they showed a lot of character."

Senior shortstop Dani Delgado, a Syracuse signee, said Centennial is meshing its six returners with new players.

"We have great athletes, but we work so well together," said Delgado, who went 2-for-4 with two runs. "It's all about each other. We feed off each other."

Where Centennial sports experience, Sierra Vista thrives on youthful talent. The surprising Lions, off to a 8-1 record, feature six freshmen and are staking their claim as a Sunset Region power.

"To beat someone that has come up this good just this season makes it big," Delgado said.