WICHITA, Kan. – After letting a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning slip away in game one, the Newman baseball team returned the favor in game two rallying back from a 5-3 ninth inning deficit securing a doubleheader split Thursday afternoon (Mar. 21) against St. Mary's. The Jets are now 12-10 on the season and begin conference play 1-1.
GAME 1
Mitchell Austin got the scoring started in the opening frame with an RBI ground out scoring Paul Rupnik. The offense continued a batter later on an RBI double down the left field line by Dylan Blake brought home Kyle Koch. Second baseman, Chris Opolka added another run to the Newman lead with an RBI single of his own scoring Blake, putting the Jets ahead 3-0 after the opening inning.
In the top of the fourth, the Rattlers got a run back on a two-out RBI single trimming the NU lead to 3-1.
Rupnik gave the Jets a golden opportunity in the fifth collecting his second leadoff single of the game. After swiping his eighth bag of the season a pitch later the Newman offense was unable to extend the lead stranding Rupnik at second.
Needing three outs to take the opening game of the series, the tide suddenly turned south for the Jets as the Rattlers sent 11-batters to the plate in the inning striking for six runs.
Looking for a rally in the bottom half of the seventh, the Jets were unable to get a baserunner suffering a heartbreaking 7-3 defeat.
Junior, Ryan Boaz got the starting nod for the first time this season, pitching a gem going 5.2-innings allowing just one run on eight hits walking one and striking out six in the non-decision outing.
The Jets bullpen had a rough outing allowing six runs on six hits over 1.1 innings in relief evert.
GAME 2
Paul Rupnik got things started for the Jets with a solo home run to right field breaking the scoreless pitchers dual in the bottom of the third.
The Rattlers responded back in the top of the fourth with a pair after a costly Newman error gaining their first lead of the game 2-1. St. Mary's tacked on another run in the top of the seventh with a two-out RBI single stretching their lead to 3-1.
Newman got the run back in the bottom of the seventh on Turner Lace's safety squeeze, sacrifice bunt scoring Matt Reeves cutting the deficit back to within one, 3-2.
St. Mary's continued to get the key hits stretching their lead back to two runs, 4-2 with another two-out RBI single.
Redshirt-Junior, Mitchell Austin continued his solid day at the dish drilling a one-out double to right field setting up another scoring chance for the Jets. A batter later the Rattlers put the tying run on base as Dylan Blake was plunked on the pitch. Connor Langrell cut the Rattlers lead to one, 4-3 on a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Austin.
In the ninth, the Jets made it tougher on themselves as their fifth defensive miscue led to a Rattlers insurance run, 5-3.
Looking to return the favor from the first game, catcher Spencer Lloyd started the rally with a leadoff single in the ninth. Pinch hitter Kyle Koch laced a single to left field advancing to second on the throw putting the tying run in scoring position with no-outs. Rupnik continued his perfect performance at the dish with an RBI single cutting the deficit to one, 5-4. Will Jordan tied the game up at 5-5 with an RBI groundout advancing the game winning run to third base with one out. The Rattlers loaded the bases, issuing back-to-back intentional walks to Austin and pinch-hitter Jon Coufal. Redshirt-sophomore Chris Opolka completed the ninth inning rally with a walk-off RBI fielder's choice saving a doubleheader 6-5 split with the Rattlers.
Derek Schumann got the nod in game two pitching seven strong innings allowing three runs on five hits walking three and striking out three in the non-decision outing.
Zach Erdman (3-1) was brilliant out of the bullpen allowing one earned run on three hits while punching out one in the winning effort.
The Jets will look for their first ever series win over the Rattlers tomorrow afternoon (Mar. 22). First pitch for the series final is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from McCarthy Field in Wichita, Kan.
