Centerville ends Fairfield?s season 7-5

CENTERVILLE ? Errors have been a big part of Fairfield?s season, and they stung the Trojans one final time in Friday?s Class 3A district opener at Centerville.

The Reds (10-27) scored six unearned runs on their way to a 7-5 victory to end Fairfield?s season.

?Only allowing one earned run and getting beat 7-5 is pretty tough,? said Fairfield head coach Josh Allison. ?Going into the game, we knew we had to play better defense and put the baseball in play. Four errors and 10 strike outs make it tough to win.?

Cody Cowan?s two-run homer in the bottom of the first plated the first two unearned runs and answered the Trojans? score to open the game in the top half of the inning. Cowan?s blast put Centerville up 2-1 and it wouldn?t trail again the rest of the way.

Trailing 7-3 entering the final frame, Josh Dimmitt hit a one-out double to plate Brent Buch and Brandon Veirs, but the Fairfield comeback effort ultimately fell short.

Starting pitcher Joe Hietpas gave the Trojans (13-27) the 1-0 lead with an RBI single to bring home Veirs. Hietpas, a freshman, threw all six innings, gave up seven hits, walked zero and struck out five, but was slowed by four errors from his defense.

?As we look toward the future, we will have a lot of experience coming back with a lot of potential for success. Potential because players will still have to work hard for it.? Allison said.

The Trojans will return arguably their top three starting pitchers in Corbin Harwood, Spencer Peterman and Hietpas. Catcher Josh Dimmitt will also be back for his junior season next year after finishing Friday night 2-3 with the two RBIs.

Veirs led the group of outgoing seniors going 1-3 with two runs scored.

Centerville moves on to play Knoxville, which was a 7-3 winner over Oskaloosa, in tonight?s regional final.

Fairfield vs. Centerville

Fairfield ? 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 ? 5 8 4

Centerville ? 2 1 1 0 0 3 X ? 7 7 1

FAIRFIELD ? Buch 1-3, BB, R; Veirs 1-3, 2R; Harwood 0-2, 2BB, R; J. Dimmitt 2-3, 2B, BB, 2RBI; Hietpas 3-3, 3RBI; Davisson 0-4; Cooksey 1-2; Peterman 0-1; Ellis 0-3; Fitch 0-2, BB; D. Dimmitt R

Pitching ? Hietpas (L) 6 INN, 7H, 0BB, 5K, 0ER