Busters Comeback Win and Blowout Loss in Colby

Colby, KS (westernkansasnews.com) Never has two games been completely different. The good news for the Garden City (17-6, 8-4 conference) Community College Baseball team is that they managed to win three out of four over the weekend at Colby (8-12, 2-8 conference) and are still among the division leaders in the Jayhawk West. Garden City scored a comeback win 8-7 in game one Sunday only to be thumped in game two 23-3.

Game One Highlights

The power was on display early for the Broncbusters in game one Sunday as Garden City managed to get five runs on six hits in knocking out Trojan starting pitcher Hector Ducorbier from the game. Easton Palmer started with a line drive double to right center. After Brooks Benson struckout, Brennan Cascio added his own double to left center knocking in for Palmer for a 1-0 lead. Frankie Alvarez would bring in Cascio with a two out RBI single and after Ted Ramirez reached on a single, Cooper Bowermaster blasted a three run homer to left for his third of the season as Garden City put up a five spot to lead 5-0.

Colby showed some power of their own in the bottom of the second when Jeremy Stidham and Reid Fritzke went back to back on solo shots off Garden City starter Tony Yacovetta to make it 5-2. Colby added two more runs in the third on Mavin Malone’s two run double trimming Garden City’s lead to 5-4. Colby took the lead in the fifth when Dylan Klava singled in the tying run off Buster releiver Tanner Karpinski and Fritzke brought in two on single with two outs against Buster reliever Stephen Pagendarm (win, 2-0) making it 7-5 Trojans.

Garden City made sure Colby’s lead did not last too long. Trojan reliever Michael Gordon (loss, 0-1) loaded the bases on a walk, hit batter and single. GCCC second baseman Ted Ramirez .singled in the tying runs and Alvarez was forced in with a bases loaded walk by Trojan reliever Nick Priola pulling Garden City ahead 8-7

The Broncbusters sealed it up in the final inning the seventh. Marcus McKinney struck out the side for his fourth save ending the game on Stidham’s check swing strikeout with the potential tying run at second.

Game Two Highlights

Garden City never had a chance in the second game to mount a comeback. Colby on the strength of two nine run innings in the second and sixth cruised to a twenty run win 23-3. Broncbuster starter Noah Draper allowed 10 runs, eight earned on just four hits while hitting two batters and walking three. All toll thirteen batters came up for Colby in the inning. Third baseman Eddie Chessell cleared the bases with a three-run triple to make it 4-0 Trojans and Fritzke brought in two more with a double off left handed reliever Sam Brunswick.

Down 13-nothing, Garden City mustered a RBI triple from Frankie Alvarez. Angelo Perez had a Sac-Fly in the fifth and catcher Mason Brown a RBI single. Brandon Koehler easily picked up the win (2-1) going five innings and allowing one run on five hits while striking out four.

Colby turned the game into a rout during another nine run inning in the sixth. The Trojans capped off the scoring with a three run double from left fielder Allen Martin. Combined over the two innings where Colby scored 18 runs they had only nine hits, but walked seven times and had three hit batsman.

GCCC Coach Chris Finnegan’s Post-game Comments

Colby’s win in game two snapped their seven game losing streak. Garden City is back on the road Tuesday and Wednesday for a nine inning game each day with #17 ranked Iowa Western before returning home this weekend to take on Cloud County.