Holcomb opens season with doubleheader sweep at Scott City

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Friday’s doublehader featuring Scott City and Holcomb paired two teams that were down in the count nothing and two in regards to getting their season started. After the day on Friday, one school hit the ball out of the park, while one struck out in their season opener. Holcomb used a 10-run third inning in the first game to run rule the Beavers 15-0, called after three innings, and a four-run fourth inning in the second game to complete the sweep 13-2 in six innings.

Holcomb 15, Scott City 0, Game 1 (3 innings)
The game would be a defensive battle in the first inning, as it would be scoreless. Then came the second and third innings. Holcomb plated five runs in the second inning to break the tie, sending nine batters to bat in that inning. They took advantage of a two-out error and also scored four runs with two outs in that inning. In the third inning the Longhorns had six hits and went to bat 15 times. Holcomb also added 10 runs, with most of them coming with one out to lead 15-0. Scott City had one chance to score in the shortened game, as they left the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, when they trailed 15-0. The Beavers went in order in the bottom of the third inning, ensuring a Longhorn win. Conner VanCleave used only 49 pitches in the first game, getting eight of the nine outs via strikeout, and surrendered just three hits. He also had two doubles and a triple in the first game, and drove in one run. Braden Rupp had two hits and drove in three runs and Chance Rodriguez had three hits and two runs driven in. Holcomb finished with 12 hits in the game and left four runners on base. Scott City’s Todd Morris took the loss, lasting just 2 1/3 innings, allowing nine runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Kyle Cure, Gustavo Gonzalez and Drew Duff collected the three hits for the Beavers in the first game.

Holcomb 13, Scott City 2, Game 2 (6 innings)
The Longhorns would pick up from where they left off in the doubleheader finale. They scored three runs before Scott City came to bat, and all three runs came with two outs. Holcomb would add a run in the second and open the game up with four runs in the fourth inning to lead 8-0. Their four-run fourth was highlighted by a three-run home run by Conner VanCleave, that sailed way beyond the center field fence. The Beavers would come back in the fourth, with a two-out, two-run single by Alex Depperschmidt to pull them to within 8-2. Holcomb would score three in the fifth, and add two more in the sixth to preserve the win. Scott City had their chances, but left seven runners on base in the game, all were left on second and third base. Chance Rodriguez started the game for the Longhorns, but was pulled with two outs in the fourth, so he would be eligible to pitch on Tuesday. Brayden Goddard picked up the win in relief, going one and a third inning. Rodriguez was responsible for the two runs scored, as he allowed four hits. Goddard did not allow a hit in his appearance. Rodriguez went 3-4 with two runs driven in, and VanCleave was 2-4 with three RBI’s. He hit for the cycle in the doubleheader. Braden Rupp also had three hits and drove in a pair of runs and scored twice, as Holcomb finished with 17 hits in the game. Scott City’s Gustavo Gonzalez took the loss, lasting three-plus innings, allowing six runs on nine hits. Alex Depperschmidt went 2-3 with two runs driven in and Aaron Hoopes had two hits. Scott City finished with five hits in the second game.

Scott City falls to 0-2 on the year and 0-2 in GWAC play, and will host Spearville on Tuesday. Holcomb starts the season at 2-0 overall, and 2-0 in league play, as they host Ulysses on Tuesday, before visiting Spearville on Thursday.

Coach David Dirks Postgame