Busters Sweep Conquistadors Taking Final Two of Series

Garden City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) To say the Garden City Community College Baseball Team is on a roll would be an understatement. The Broncbusters received timely hitting and great pitching taking both games of their Saturday doubleheader with Dodge City Community College (28-22, 13-15) 11-9 and 3-2. Garden City ends the conference season having won 14 of their last 16 Jayhawk West games.

Now the waiting game begins to see if the Broncbusters finish as high as a number two seed in the upcoming conference tournament. GCCC has wrapped up the conference with a 21-11 mark (32-18 overall). The rest of the teams in the Jayhawk West concluded their conference schedule next weekend.

In the first game, Garden City did not waste anytime scoring five off Dodge City starter Russell Mithlo, knocking him out of the game in the first inning. CJ Krainock had a two run single and Kadin Hydrick a two run triple, one of two triple Hydrick had in the first game. After Frankie Alvarez added a two run single in the second, Garden City led 7-1.

Game One Highlights

The Conquistadors came back with one in the second on a double steal that brought in Parker Jones from third and a two run homer from Jones in the 3rd for his fourth homer of the year. Broncbuster pitcher Chris Bonk (8-0) settled down and worked through the sixth only giving up two more hits the rest of the way. Bonk was helped out from his offense as they scored at least one run in every inning in the seven inning opener.

Things were tight in the seventh. Having their biggest lead 11-4, Garden City gave up five runs to make it close. Dodge City’s Jordan Doan had a big two run triple off reliever Dalton Cook making it 11-7. Jerry Lacayo added a RBI single and a balk from reliever Marcus McKinney brought in the fifth run of the inning. With two runners on and the potential tying runner at second, McKinney notched his second save of the series and third this season when he struck out Jacob Bellamy on a foul tip catch by catcher Francisco Alavarez and take the first game 11-9

Game two the pitchers dominated. GC’s Tyler Tucker broke a scoreless tie with his fourth homer of the year, crushing one over the rightfield wall against starter Chase Wilson (5-1). Dalton Shalberg (4-3) was in control for Garden City on the mound, he retired the first nine and only gave up an infield single from Conquistador’s shortstop Haden Houshka through sixth. Shalberg only allowed an unearned run and two hits in seven innings. He fanned nine.

Garden City would get just enough offense from leftfielder Rocky DeSantis. His RBI double in the sixth gave Garden City a 2-0 lead and his RBI single one inning later made it 3-1 Broncbusters.

The ninth inning turned out to be an adventure when a fielding error from Cale Dineen at third put Houska at second for Dodge City. He would score one batter later when Conor Koepp double to right cutting Garden City’s lead down to 3-2. Marcus McKinney kept his cool in seeking his third save of the series and fourth of the year. Parker Jones grounded out, Leno Ramirez walked and Jordan Doan flied out to center leaving the potential tying runner at third.

Game Two Highlights