Holcomb baseball takes two from Scott City

Scott City, Kan. (westernakansasnews.com)–Two teams who were undefeated in GWAC play on Friday met up for a doubleheader, as Scott City played host to Holcomb. At the end of the day, errors, would cost the Beavers in each game, and the Longhorns took advantage, sweeping the twin bill with a 12-2 win in six innings in game one, and 13-4 in the finale of the evening.

Holcomb led 4-0 before Scott City could get on the board with a run in the bottom of the second inning. After a scoreless third, the Longhorns tacked on three runs in the fourth and fifth innings to lead 7-0. They would blow the game open with five runs in the sixth to lead 12-1. The Beavers were only able to tack on one more run, as Holcomb takes the first game in a six-inning run rule 12-2. Conner VanCleave was dominant not only on the mound, but at the plate. He went the distance, surrendering two runs, one earned on four hits with eight strikeouts. VanCleave had four hits, and was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Scott City’s Gustavo Gonzales gave up 11 runs, nine earned on 14 hits in five-plus innings pitched. The Beavers had four hits in game one.

Game two saw the Scott City lead early, but errors would cost them in the end. The Beavers led 2-1 after the first inning and 3-1 after two innings. Holcomb would take the lead in the third inning, and never surrender it. After Scott City pulled to within 5-4 in the fifth inning, the Longhorns exploded for six runs in the sixth inning, and tacked on two more in the seventh. Five Beaver errors plagued them, as they outhit Holcomb 9-5 in the game. Christian Merz went 4 2/3, allowing four runs on five hits and got the win. VanCleave and Trey Sleep had two hits each for the Longhorns. Sloan Baker struck out seven batters in five-plus innings of work, and took the loss. He surrendered seven runs, just two earned, on only one hit. Baker would also have three hits and score two runs, and Gonzales collected two hits with an RBI.

Holcomb improves to 6-0 overall, 4-0 in GWAC play, and will host Ulysses on Tuesday, while Scott City falls to 1-6 overall, 1-2 in league play, and hosts a triangular on Friday with Liberal and TMP Marian.