Broncbuster Baseball Wins Tournament Opener in Wichita 1-0

Wichita, KS (westernkansasnews.com) The Garden City Community College Baseball Team (37-21) took step two in the NJCAA Region VI tournament at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita gutting out a 1-0 win over Coffeyville.  Broncbuster starter J.J. Benes went the distance for his sixth complete game of the season and ninth win (9-3). 

Game Highlights

Benes wiggled out of some jams early forcing Coffeyville to six on through the first four innings.  The best chance for the Red Ravens (37-18) to score was in the fourth when they had the bases loaded and one out.  First baseman Matt Salamon lined out into an unassisted double play turned by Nolan Barrientos at first.

Garden City had a rough time against Coffeyville starting pitcher Carlos D’Armas (6-1).  The right hander looked for his seventh win of the season.   The only inning where D’Armas allowed two hits is the only time GCCC scored.  It took place in the sixth where back-to-back batters had singles. Kaleb Zimmer started with an infield single and Rocky DeSantis singled to center.  After a SAC bunt from Barrientos and intentional walk to Alitz loading the bases,  Frankie Alvarez hit a Sac-Fly to left scoring what turned out to be the only run.

Garden City avenged last year’s loss to Coffeyville 6-3, but it wasn’t easy.  Both pitchers settled in for the final three innings.  D’Armas retired the last seven batters he faced.  Benes surrendered a two out double to Jacob Spring in the eighth and Rodelfo Oleta’s two single in the ninth.  Oleta advanced to second on a throwing error by shortstop Tyler Alitz the only Garden City error of the game.  Benes then reared back and struck out Andy Meulberger with the bases loaded to seal the win.

For Garden City they have won 17 of their 19 games played against conference opponents.  The fourth seeded Broncbusters play ninth seeded Kansas City, Kan Saturday in a winners bracket game.  While the fifth seeded Coffeyville Red Ravens meet top seeded Johnson County a 3-2 loser to KCKan.  The loser of that game will be eliminated.

Saturday’s first pitch for the Bronbusters is 4pm.  Pre-game is at 3:45 with Tim Boulware on AM 1030 KBUF and westernkansasnews.com.