TMP blows by Scott City in doubleheader

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Tuesday was the season opener for the Scott City baseball team, as they played host to the TMP Marian Monarchs at the Scott Rec Complex. Both teams not only had to fight off first game jitters, but also the win that had gusts of around 40 mph. In the doubleheader, six home runs were hit, three by TMP’s Chase Werth, as the Monarchs swept the twin bill from the Beavers in an 11-3 win in game one, and the second game finished in five innings with a 17-1 final. 

TMP Marian 11, Scott City 3 Game 1
Early on, it was Scott City that dominated the game. The Beavers scored the first three runs, on a three-run blast by Aaron Hoopes to give Scott City a 3-0 lead after one. That score would hold up for the next two innings. TMP would change the course of the game in the fourth inning. With a runner on, the Monarchs would pull to within a run, and it would change the momentum of the game. Time was called at the plate during a pitch, and a balk was called. Chase Werth swung at the pitch and sailed the ball over the left field fence, that would cut the Beaver lead to 3-2. After a lengthy discussion on whether the balk would be enforced. It would be TMP’s option, and they took the home run. That would begin the unraveling of the game for Scott City. The Monarchs added end up scoring six runs, and never looked back. They added a run in the fifth and two in each of the final two innings to push their way to the 11-3 win. TMP outhit Scott City 13-10, as the Beavers collected had seven errors. Werth added a solo home run in the fifth inning, as he finished with 5 RBI in game one on three hits. Jared Rack went six innings for the Monarchs to get the win, giving up two earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts. Gustavo Gonzalez took the loss for Scott City, allowing seven runs in five innings pitched, while collecting four strikeouts. Kevin Aguilera and Kyle Cure each had three hits for the Beavers. 

TMP Marian 17, Scott City 1 Game 2 (5 innings)
All the momentum from the first game continued on in game two for TMP. They sent 19 players to bat in the first inning, and scored 13 runs. The Monarchs also took advantage of the strong south wind, as Werth hit a two-run blast, while Jared Rack and Luke Ruder went back to back to complete three straight home runs in as many at bats for TMP Marian. They would add a run in the second and third inning to potentially finish the game after three innings due to the 15-0 run rule. Scott City got their lone run on the board in the bottom of the third, on a two-out single by Kyle Cure, scoring Justin Faurot. The Monarchs added four runs in the fifth to end the game after five innings at 17-1. TMP collected 18 hits in the game, as they got three from Chase Romme and Jared Vitztum. Romme also drove in three runs, as the Monarchs had nine different players collect at least one hit. Even though he pitched one inning, Ricky Hockett picked up the win, giving up the only Scott City run on a hit. Aaron Hoopes took the loss for Scott City, giving up nine runs in only a third of an inning pitched, facing only 10 batters. The Beavers finished with four hits, as Faurot finished with two of them. 

Scott City is 0-2 on the year, and will host Goodland for a GWAC doubleheader Thursday afternoon at 4. TMP Marian hosts Abilene on Friday for a twin bill. 

Coach David Dirks Postgame