Trojans open season with 12-2 win over Centennial Stars behind Vascura's shutout effort

Tree of Life Christian School opened its varsity baseball season Tuesday with a 12-2 win over Centennial Stars at 4241 Rudy Rd., using a five-run second inning to take control and a dominant outing from Eli Vascura to finish it off.

The decisive stretch came early. After settling in, the Trojans broke the game open in the second, scoring five times to build separation and put Centennial on its heels. That cushion was more than enough for Vascura, who turned in a four-hit shutout over 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. He also led the offense with three hits, giving Tree of Life production on both sides of the ball in the season opener.

The Trojans finished with 10 hits in the 5 2/3-inning game and consistently created traffic on the bases. Sam Jackson added two hits, including a double, while Bishoy Bishara reached base in three of his four at-bats. Bishara also delivered one of the cleaner small-ball moments of the afternoon, dropping down a perfect bunt in the fifth inning to keep pressure on the Stars' defense.

Tree of Life paired that offensive efficiency with a sharp defensive effort. The Trojans committed only two errors, limiting extra chances and allowing Vascura to work quickly through the lineup. Centennial managed just four hits against him, and the Trojans' steady play behind their starter helped preserve what the team described as its first win of the season.

Taken together, it was the kind of complete opener Tree of Life wanted, timely hitting, clean enough defense and a standout start on the mound. The second-inning surge set the tone, and Vascura's work never let Centennial back into the game as the Trojans began the year with a convincing 12-2 result.