Pratt Rallies Late to Stun Broncbusters in Series Opener
Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics
Pratt, KS – Garden City Community College saw an early lead slip away in dramatic fashion, falling 11-9 to Pratt Community College in Game 1 of a conference doubleheader Thursday.
The Broncbusters (14-22, 6-11) jumped out to a fast start and appeared in control through the middle innings before Pratt erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the seventh to walk it off.
Garden City wasted no time getting on the board, plating three runs in the first inning. Sean Togher delivered an RBI double to open the scoring before Will Togher and Cael Hamrick each drove in runs to give the Broncbusters a 3-1 lead.
The offense broke the game open in the third inning with a five-run surge. Mason Tafoya delivered the biggest swing of the game, launching a grand slam to left field, while Sean Togher followed with a solo home run to extend the lead to 8-1.
Garden City added another run in the fourth on a solo home run from Will Togher, pushing the advantage to 9-1 and putting the Broncbusters firmly in command.
Pratt began to chip away with a two-run home run in the fourth, but Garden City pitching held steady into the late innings. Sean Togher worked four innings on the mound, allowing three runs while striking out four.
The turning point came in the bottom of the seventh. Pratt strung together five hits and capitalized on walks to score eight runs, highlighted by a go-ahead grand slam from Gunner Hewitt that completed the comeback and secured the 11-9 victory.
Offensively, Garden City totaled 10 hits, led by Sean Togher‘s 3-for-3 performance with two RBI. Mason Tafoya drove in four runs with his grand slam, while Will Togher added two hits, including a home run, and two RBI.
Key Moment
Pratt’s eight-run seventh inning erased a 9-3 deficit, capped by a grand slam that gave the Beavers their first lead of the game.
Key Stat
Garden City held a 9-1 lead after four innings but allowed eight runs in the final frame to suffer the loss.
