Broncbusters Outslug Pratt Early, Fall Late in Game 2

Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics

Pratt, KS – Garden City Community College erupted offensively but could not hold off a late surge from Pratt Community College, falling 16-15 in a wild Game 2 of a conference doubleheader Thursday.

The Broncbusters (14-23, 6-12) pounded out 20 hits and built multiple leads throughout the contest, including a seven-run second inning and a five-run fourth, but Pratt answered late to walk it off in the ninth.

Garden City wasted no time flipping the game in the second inning, sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs on six hits. Sean Togher delivered a two-run single before Karson Evans broke it open with a three-run home run, giving the Broncbusters a commanding early advantage.

The offense continued to roll in the third and fourth innings. Aiden Roberts doubled to spark a run in the third, and in the fourth, Will Togher launched a two-run home run before Mason Tafoya cleared the bases with a three-run triple, stretching the lead to 13-6.

Tafoya led the Broncbusters with five RBI, while Evans finished 4-for-5 with three RBI and a home run. Will Togher added three hits and two RBI, and Roberts and Sean Philpotts each recorded multi-hit performances as part of Garden City’s 20-hit effort.

Pratt chipped away in the middle innings, scoring three in the sixth and four in the seventh to close the gap. Despite Garden City adding single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, the Beavers continued to apply pressure late.

In the ninth, Pratt completed the comeback with three runs, highlighted by a two-run double down the line that sealed the walk-off victory.

On the mound, Garden City battled through traffic as Pratt drew 12 walks and capitalized on timely hits to mount the comeback.

Key moment
Pratt’s three-run ninth inning erased the final Garden City lead, turning a high-scoring battle into a walk-off defeat.

Key stat
The Broncbusters recorded 20 hits and scored 15 runs but surrendered 16 runs, including seven combined in the seventh and ninth innings.

Up next
The Broncbusters return home to face Pratt Community College on Saturday, April 4th. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m., with Game 2 scheduled for 3:30 p.m.