Hugoton baseball takes two from Scott City

Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Playing in their final home doubleheader of the season, the Scott City Beavers were looking to gain a little more momentum heading into regionals. They’ve split their last two twin bills and faced a Hugoton team that they split with a year ago in Hugoton. On Friday, it was the Eagles who soared to two run-rule wins, taking wins of 16-3 and 18-4, with both games called in the fifth inning.

Hugoton 16, Scott City 3, Game 1
The Eagles jumped out early in game one, leading 3-0 after two innings. Scott City would get on the board in the bottom of the third inning, on an RBI groundout by Gustavo Gonzalez, that scored Seth Cardenas to pull to within 3-1. The third inning also saw the Beavers pick up their first hit of the game. Then the fourth inning came. Hugoton batted around twice in the last two innings, and sent 12 to bat in the fifth inning. They opened the game up with five runs on only two hits, and would pour it on in the fifth with eight runs on six hits to take a 16-1 lead. Lawrence Greiner was a big catalyst of their first game, hitting three triples and driving in six runs. Scott City would get a two-run double from Chase Rumford to pull to within 16-3, but it would be too little, too late. Tucker Martin picked up the win, giving up three runs on five hits with six strikeouts, despite walking five batters. Gonzalez took the loss for Scott City, allowing 13 runs on 11 hits in four-plus innings of work. Kevin Aguilera had two hits for the Beavers, who had five hits in the game.

Hugoton 18, Scott City 3, Game 2
The finale felt like it would be a much closer game, but just like the first game, Hugoton exploded in the final two innings of the day. After leading 5-0 following in an inning and a half, Scott City made a two-out rally, with four hits and pulled to within 5-3. Unfortunately for the Beavers, that would be the closest they would get the rest of the night. Following a scoreless third inning, the Eagles tacked on four more runs in the fourth to lead 9-3. Their fifth inning, however, would be the inning they delivered the knockout punch. A three-run home run by Zach Leininger and a grand slam by Lawrence Greiner capped off a nine-run fifth inning, and led 18-3. Scott City scored one unearned run in the bottom of the fifth, as the Eagles completed the sweep with an 18-4 win. Thomas Frederick picked up the win for Hugoton, going all five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with a strikeout. Greiner drove in five runs on two hits, Tucker Martin had four RBI’s and Frederick, Leininger drove in three runs. The Eagles ended up with only 11 hits in the game. Justin Faurot pitched two innings, giving up five runs and took the loss. Todd Morris allowed eight runs five hits and Alex Depperschmit gave up five runs in the game. The three pitchers combined for 13 walks. Aaron Hoopes had two hits in the game, Faurot had a two-run double, and Trevor Robers drove in a run. Both teams committed three errors. 

Hugoton improved to 8-8 overall, 3-3 in league play, and will host Ulysses on Tuesday. Scott City dropped to 3-15 overall, 1-7 in the GWAC, and will wrap up their regular season on Tuesday at Colby, with the first game beginning at noon.