WICHITA, Kan. — Getting timely hitting and another sturdy effort on the mound, the Newman baseball team split a doubleheader against Rogers State Saturday evening on Senior Day at McCarthy Field.
The Jets (27-17, 13-10 Heartland) went down early in the first game, falling behind by two runs before charging back and getting shutdown pitching over the final three innings in a 5-4 victory. The Hillcats (25-21, 10-13 Heartland) answered that challenge in the nightcap, scoring six runs in over the first three innings and holding on for a 7-3 win.
The Hillcats scored single runs in the each of the first four innings of the opener, but a pair of big frames from the Jets proved to be just enough offense. After the guests opened the scoring in the top of the first, Newman answered with a two-out rally in the bottom half, as Brian Canfield singled to score Tyler Bugner and Aaron Mack.
Newman would go down 4-2 entering the bottom of the fourth, but put together another big inning to take control of the game. Jacob Hamerle was hit by a pitch, Bugner singled and Mack walked to load the bases with one out, and a single from Garett Thomas followed by Nick Griffin fielder's choice tied the game at 4-4. After a Canfield walk, Mitchell Beaudreau was hit by a pitch to drive in what would wind up being the game-winning run.
After laboring in spots to start the game, starting pitcher Lucas Schauer responded with a shutdown 1-2-3 inning in the fifth, and would get his eighth win of the season after going 5 1/3 innings and scattering six hits while striking out four.
Kevin Luman came in to retire the final five batters of the game for his second save of the season. Canfield went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs, while Lucas Norton chipped in a 2-for-4 game and Bugner and Mack each scored two runs.
Already down 3-0 after the guests started strong in the second game of the day, Beaudreau managed a one-out double in the second inning, and Andrew Russell followed by reaching on an error. Hamerle grounded out in the next at-bat, but his ball to the right side was enough to score Beaudreau and make it 3-1. The Hillcats answered by plating three more in the top half of the third, taking control the rest of the way.
Garett Thomas stunted the RSU momentum slightly in the fifth inning, leading off with his ninth home run of the season to make it 6-2. The Hillcats put up a solo shot of its own in the top of the ninth to bump the lead back to five runs. The bonus run didn't come into play, although the Jets tried, scoring a run in the bottom of the ninth and loading the bases with two outs, but a strikeout ended it.
Beaudreau and Hamerle each cracked two hits in the nightcap. Kane McCarthy entered in the third inning and tossed the final 6 2/3, allowing nine hits and just the solo home run.
The Jets and Hillcats meet back at McCarthy Field Sunday at 1 p.m. for the rubber match.
