Class 4A feature game of the week: Centennial vs. Pueblo West

Air Force Academy commit and senior Zac Drury (2014) led Pueblo West High School to a crucial 8-3 South-Central League victory over # 3 4A Centennial on Tuesday at Hobbs Field at the Runyon Sports Complex in Pueblo.

The speedy center fielder for the Cyclones was 2-for-3 in four at-bats, driving in three runs. Hitting in the No. 3 hole, the 5-6, 165-pounder who hits left-handed, was instrumental in the second and fourth innings when Pueblo West put up crooked numbers.

In the second, Drury capped a four-run uprising with an RBI single into left-center field.

In the fourth, Drury came up with the bases loaded and hit a line drive into left field that was caught for a sacrifice fly. That drove in a run in the Cyclones' three-run inning that resulted in a 7-0 lead.

Drury then ripped an RBI single in the sixth for his third RBI and for good measure stole third base easily.
The two-sport athlete, who was the quarterback for three seasons for the Cyclones, is hitting .540 on the season, leading the league. He missed nearly his entire junior baseball season with a knee injury, returning in the playoffs when Pueblo West reached the Class 4A state championship game.

"Every game is must-win from here and out," said Drury, who also had six putouts in center field, including three in a row in the third inning. "We have to win out to make it to the playoffs.
"Today, we all sort of hit and came through. We're starting to swing it well as a team."

Pueblo West leadoff hitter Javy Garcia (2015), Chase Trujillo (2015), Dawson Tate (2016) and Nolan Maize (2014) had two hits apiece in West's 11-hit attack.

Tuesday's win moved Pueblo West (7-9-1 overall, 5-4 S-CL) into a third-place tie with Centennial (10-6, 5-4) in the S-CL. Canon City is a half-game back at 4-4. The top three teams are guaranteed berths into the 32-team Class 4A state tournament.

Pueblo East leads the league with an 8-1 record. South is second at 6-3.

PBR Colorado senior writer Jeff Letofsky