Lakin Baseball eliminiates Scott City, comeback rally falls short to TMP
Lakin (westernkansasnews.com)–Scott City and Lakin played to yet another one-run game Tuesday in the Class 3A Regional Semi-final in Lakin. On April 26, the Beavers would hold on for a 4-3 win over the Broncs, and the second game of that doubleheader would be called off due to lightning. On a warm, sunny day, Lakin would win on a two out, walk-off single by Jarett Sauer that scored Bryant Miller from third base, eliminating Scott City with a 3-2 win in eight innings. It would be the second time this year the Beavers lost in walk-off fashion in the eighth inning. The Broncs got on the board first on a lead off home run by Reno Armstrong in the second inning to give them a 1-0 edge. In the fourth, Sauer drove in his first run of the day, scoring Jordan Rosales to make it 2-0. The Beavers were shut down most of the day, and only collected two hits. In the seventh inning, Scott City got on the board with their second hit of the day, an inside the park home run by Trey O’Neil, who pinch hit for Colin Ratzlaff to make it 2-1 Broncs. with one out, Brett O’Neil tied the game on a Lakin error. With runners on second and third, the Beavers were unable to get the go ahead run home, and the Broncs were retired in order to force extra innings. Scott City was retired in order in the top of the eighth, and Lakin got the lead off man aboard in the bottom of the inning via a walk. After a sacrifice bunt and intentional walk, Rosales singled to load the bases. That was followed up by a Ryan Swank line drive out to right field, but not hit deep enough to score the winning run. On an 0-1 count, Sauer played hero and singled to left field to send the Broncs into the regional finals. Scott City’s Drew Kite took the loss, giving up three runs on 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out seven Broncs. Brett Meyer had Scott City’s first hit in the third inning on an infield single. Lakin’s Ryan Swank took the loss in 1 2/3 scoreless relief pitching. The Beavers ended their fine season at 13-8, and saw Jeremy Clinton and Matt Zilla see their careers end in a SCHS uniform.
The regional finals has to familiar foes facing each other for the right to go to state. TMP-Marian and Lakin have faced each other the previous two years. Each time, the Monarchs have prevailed, and the last two meetings were on each others field. Lakin took an early lead 1-0 in the top of the second inning, and TMP tied it up in the bottom of the fourth at one. TMP would take the lead for good with three runs in the fifth to lead 4-1. All of their runs in the inning came with two outs. The Broncs responded with two of their won in the sixth and would leave the tying run 90 feet away and the go-ahead run at second base in the sixth and the seventh inning, as the Monarchs eliminate Lakin for a third straight season. It would be another great season for the Broncs, as they finish the season at 18-3. Thomas Moore Prep has now won 22 straight after dropping their season opener to Scott City. The number one ranked team in Class 3A will look for a state championship in Manhattan May 25 and 26, where they’ve finished second the last two seasons.
