Demons Baseball, Softball Seasons End in Regionals
Augusta/Derby, KS (westernkansasnews.com) The Dodge City High School Baseball team waited 24 hours and won their first game in regionals going eight to defeat Wichita North 6-2, but then fell to top seeded Derby in the championship game 5-2 from Augusta High School.
Game One Highlights
The Red Demons looking for their first trip to state since 2006 used the arm of senior Bryce Unruh to make the regional championship game. Unruh game up a pair of unearned runs in the second and was bailed out of allowing the Redskins to retake the lead in the third when centefielder Dayton McGroarty threw out first baseman Aaron Terrill attempting to score on Briar Olkers single in the third.
Unruh then settled into a groove and only allowed one more base runner the remainder of the game improving his record to 2-4.
Dodge had their opportunities leaving a base runner on second in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings against Wichita North start Jordan Doss. In the eight Dodge City took control of the game.
Eric Reid led off with a double and one batter later offf Redskins reliever Eric Escamillia scored on Gideon Wells RBI single for his first hit of the day. Luke Royle added a RBI double and Noah Williams lined an opposite field two run single to right in capping off the four run eight sending the Red Demons to the championship game.
Game Two Highlights
Dayton McGroarty (2-3) took the ball for game two on the mound and allowed two second inning runs to Derby on a slow roller off the bat of Cooper Welch. The Red Demon were able to get the force out at second, but could not turned two and in the return throw home from first baseman Cody Elwell the second of the two runners Braden Cooper was able to slide home safely on a two run fielders choice.
McGroarty served up a RBI single in the fourth to Panthers third baseman Tanner Olmstead. Luke Royle relieved and cough up a RBI single to the following batter Welch for his second RBI of the game.
Dodge City strung together a hit batter and back-to-back singles in the fifth off Derby starting pitcher Braden Ash. McGroarty’s second hit gave the Red Demons their first run of the game to trail 4-1.
Blayten Tullis ran the Panthers into an sixth inning insurance run following Lane Sadler’s leadoff single, Tullis came in as the courtesy runner and stole second and third before coming in on Olmstead’s groundout.
Eric Reid hit into a RBI fielder’s choice in the seventh inning, but the comeback for the Demons fell three runs short.
DCHS Coach Zach Shipley’s Post-game Comments
Derby moves on to the state tournament with a 17-5 record. Dodge City ends their first season under head coach Zach Shipley 9-13.
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Wednesday the Dodge City softball team had their season come to an end in the regional semifinal to Haysville Campus at Derby High School 10-0.
Game Highlights
Senior Matti Tieben took to the circle for Dodge City and encountered trouble early with five straight hits in the first inning for five runs capped off with a two-run triple from opposing pitcher Courtney Sanders.
After two innings where Haysville Campus failed to score the Colts picked up where they left off in the fourth when first baseman Bailey Stanley singled in two and third baseman Darin Doyle brought in two off freshman reliever Emily Stephenson.
Offensively the Red Demons were never able to get on track against Sanders who limited them to three singles and a walk.
DCHS Softball Coach Heather Steiner’s Post-game Comments
For Dodge Coach Heather Steiner it was her final game at the helm. She finishes the most wins in school history over her 11 years and guided the team to their first ever WAC title in softball back in 2009.
