Red Demons sweep Buffaloes in Opening WAC Games

After beating Dodge City nine days ago on the road in a non-conference game 4-1, the Garden City High School Buffaloes had nothing for their arch rivals at home on Thursday at Clint Lightner Field, as the Red Demons swept the Buffaloes in the double-header Western Athletic Conference games, 10-0 in (6) innings for game one and then 9-4 in the night-cap. Dodge City sophomore pitcher Andrew Balderaz struck out five and walked only one enroute to his 2nd win on the season. He kept the Buffaloes at bay giving up no runs on just 7 hits and Garden City stranded 5 base runners, but committed four errors in the loss. Buffalo senior pitcher Jake Curran struck out 6, walked six and hit one batter in his third loss of the season, allowing the Red Demons 10 runs on just 7 hits, no errors and left eleven runners on base. After getting two early runs, most of the Red Demon damage came in the 3rd and 4th innings scoring 7 runs and then added the final run in the top of the 6th and shut the Buffaloes down in the bottom of the 6th to collect the run rule game. Dodge City senior third baseman Dylan Roy had a banner game in the opener, going 2 for 3 with 5 RBI’s and scored two runs to help propel the Demons to their first Conference win. In game two, Garden City jumped out to an early 2-1 lead in the 2nd inning, after senior Robert Tomlin doubled and scored in the bottom of the first and then junior inflielder A.J. Hurtado singled and scored in the bottom of the 2nd for the 2-1 edge. Dodge City made their presence known again in the 3rd, 4th and 6th innings, as they erupted for 8 runs during that span to collect their 2nd WAC win, junior pitcher Jordan Doan picked up the win with 3 strike-outs and issuing only three walks. The Demons would get 9 runs from 9 hits and commit two errors and leave 11 runners stranded on base. Garden City could only muster 4 runs from 8 hits, commit 6 errors and leave 7 runners stranded, junior pitcher Edgar Montoya took the loss in game two dropping his record to 1-2 as he walked 8 batters in the first 4 innings. Dodge City is 2-0 in WAC 6-3 overall and Garden City drops to 3-6 and 0-2 in Conference play. The Buffaloes are on the road next Tuesday at Ulysses, be sure to catch all the action on the live video webcast, at www.westernkansasnews.com, with your voice of the Buffs Jerry Jones. (photo by Donette Brown/WKBC staff)