WICHITA, Kan. — The Newman Jets baseball team split the day behind a well-pitched game 1 by Zach Erdman as well as, good at-bats at the plate to help get the game 1 victory 4-3. Pitching struggles in game 2 helped the Hillcats gain momentum and get the 11-5 victory.
Game 1
Key Sequence
The Jets (19-25, 11-11 Heartland) were looking at a tied game going into the sixth inning against the Hillcats (23-21, 9-13 Heartland), when Jake Hanson tripled to left center bringing up Channing Williams who doubled down the left field line scoring Hanson and later giving the Jets the Game 1 victory.
How It Happened
-The Hillcats were able to get on the Jets early in the first couple of innings, getting a double and single from Brendan Griffith and Grant Farris along with a home run from Bradley Degnan, after three innings Rogers State had a 3-0 lead.
-The Jets began their comeback in the bottom of the third getting started with a Paul Rupnik single to right field scoring Turner Lace and Spencer Lloyd. Later in the fifth Newman got another big it from Rupnik who hit a deep fly ball to center field and an error by the center fielder allowed Clay Druin to score and tie the game.
-In the bottom of the sixth both teams looking to gain an edge on the other, the Jets were able to get that and more with a Jake Hanson triple to left center bringing up Williams looking to put the Jets ahead and he came through with a double down the right field scoring Hanson and with the help of the Newman pitching the team was able to get the game 1 victory.
Game 2
Key Sequence
The Jets (19-25, 11-11 Heartland) were able to cut the Hillcats (23-21, 9-13 Heartland) lead down to one-run but the Hillcats used a big seventh inning to get some insurance runs and later the game 2 victory to split day 1 with the Jets.
How It Happened
-Early in the game, Rogers State was able to get the early lead again in the first couple of innings with the help of Blake Chiaramonte, Brooks Douglass, and Zach Mann who help the Hillcats get a 3-1 lead going into the middle and later innings.
-The Jets were able to cut the Hillcats lead to one in the second with a Paul Rupnik double to left center scoring Easton Herring and later the in the sixth Newman was able to cut the Hillcat lead to one again with help from Ked Bailey who hit a single to right field scoring Herring the Rogers state lead was now 5-4.
-Newman was looking to gain an edge on defense and get a stop but the Hillcats used patience and discipline to get good at-bats and score runs gaining a six-run lead and momentum to later get the Game 2 victory to split the first day of the series.
Notes
-Ked Bailey helped the Jets in Game 2 going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a runs scored.
-After a slow start, Zach Erdman was able to settle down going for the complete game with three runs, one walk, and five strikeouts to help the Jets get the game 1 victory.
What's Next
The Jets conclude their series Saturday with game 1 beginning at Noon.
