They sing vintage Motown songs every game like seasoned vocalists.
Whether it?s humming “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” or performing Stevie Wonder?s “Superstition” on the bench, no team in Howard County is in more harmony than the Centennial High baseball team.
The Eagles have a 15-game winning streak and have outscored teams 135-26 during that span.
They?re not doing it solely with hitting, either. Centennial (15-0 overall, 11-0 in county play) has two shutouts during the streak while holding every opponent under four runs or less.
“We have a balanced team with solid all-around players that just like to stay loose,” fourth-year Centennial coach Denis Ahearn said. “This year our team has had great leadership and a great focus to get the job done.”
After securing two state titles in the last five years, the Eagles are always among the county favorites. But when asked about feeling any pressure to continue this winning trend, Ahearn thought otherwise.
“Everybody else should be afraid,” he said. “We?re going out as the hunter instead of the hunted.”
The Eagles potent lineup includes Austin Harclerode (.381, four home runs, 26 RBIs) and Ben Winter (.500, four triples, two doubles). The team hitting average is .362.
“The team has great chemistry and our offense is clicking right now for us,” Harclerode said. “As long as we continue to play well as a team, we can do some great things in the playoffs.”
Winter agreed.
“Every game all of us joke around and sing songs during practice to stay relaxed,” said Winter, a left-hander who is 4-0. “When you?re hitting the ball and everyone is happy, it brings a smile to your face.”
Senior pitcher Scott Swinson, considered the staff ace, is 3-0 with 23 strikeouts, three walks and a 0.74 ERA. Senior Alex Bechta (4-0) also contributes to a staff that has no pitcher with an ERA over 2.00.
Ahearn said a 12-7 win over New Rochelle (N.Y.) on April 17 where the players worked hard to erase a seven-run deficit may have helped turn the corner.
“Our kids really, really wanted to play that day and that?s when I knew we could be a really special team,” Ahearn said.
TOP-FLIGHT EAGLES
Did you know? Centennial won the Class 2A and 3A state titles in 2001 and 2004 … A.J. Tinnirella (Towson), Jon Dupski (Towson) and Dan Shillingburg (Maryland) are all former players under Ahearn who have made the transition to Division-I baseball.
