Hugoton sweeps Liberal on opening day

Hugoton, Kan (westernkansasnews.com)-Normally you would say it’s hard to top what the Hugoton Eagles baseball team did a season ago; after all they won 21 games and were on the doorstep of the state tournament. But thanks to Pratt, Rusty Crites team was left out of the big dance. But if opening day was any indication, the Eagles are back and looking to climb over the proverbial hump. 

In game one-Liberal (0-2) pitching, for the most part, held the Eagle bats at bay. But Nick Frederick’s RBI fielder’s choice in the home half of the of the first, followed by Maverick Mills RBI single and Slade Shuck’s run-scoring double in the fifth were just enough to squeak out a 3-1 victory. 

In the night cap-the Eagles (2-0) spotted the Redskins a 2-0 lead thanks to RBI hits by Lawrence Greiner and Long. 

But Hugoton spoiled Jared Hasik’s brilliant start that saw the starter toss five innings of one-hit ball. The Eagles tagged reliever Jared Fox for three runs in the bottom of the seventh. The game winner was unearned when Stevie Lira’s error at third base allowed Frederick to score. 

“I was really impressed with Liberal,” Crites said afterwards. “It’s not what I expected. They’re a young team, but hats off to them.”