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One moment, Atchison explodes with a string of hits and plating multiple runs. The next, the A’s drop a chance to seal a victory. Last night summarized Atchison’s season when the A’s were swept by Sabetha.
After a weekend of solid batting, Atchison struggled to get any offense going and lost 8-0 in five innings in game one.
Sabetha jumped out to an early lead, plating three runs in the first inning off three straight RBI-hits by second baseman Kyle Stallbaumer, first baseman Tyler Edelman and third baseman Nolan Keim. With a four-run lead heading into the fourth inning, Sabetha posted three more runs to lead 7-0.
Kyle Stallbaumer went 3-3 with three RBI. Pitcher Brendan Garrett recorded a no-hitter, striking out four and giving up three walks.
Atchison only placed three players on the bags and two of them went as far as second base.
Game two was originally scheduled as a five-inning game, but both teams wanted to keep the lights on just a bit longer. It took nine innings, but an error by shortstop Ricky Kearney allowed third baseman Nolan Keim to advance home from third to give Sabetha the 5-4 victory.
Sabetha plated a run in the first inning off a sacrifice play by Kyle Stallbaumer. Atchison didn’t post its first run until the third inning to tie the game at one run apiece. The A’s claimed the lead after a two-run top of the fourth. The lead didn’t last long though as Sabetha quickly tied it up at 3-3 heading into the final inning.
Dustin Gosa kicked off the inning by safely reaching first base off an error by first baseman Tyler Edelman. Gosa then flies in from second off an RBI-single by right fielder Chase Behler.
Down to its final three outs, Sabetha had to act quickly. Right fielder McKenzie McAfee stepped to the plate and blasted a triple into the power alley in right field. After Kyle Stallbaumer’s popup to second, Tyler Edelman stepped to the plate. He skied one into right field and was out. McAfee tagged up from third, a bullet from Behler came from right field and Atchison was inches away from recording the final out, but didn’t get it, leaving the game tied at 4-4.
Sabetha’s Graham Howard pitched all nine innings, threw 140 pitches, struck out nine, gave up five hits and posted three walks. McKenzie McAfee went 2-4 with a triple and a single. The only RBI recorded was by Taylor Bauman, who went 1-4 with an RBI double.
Atchison’s Mark McDermed went 2-4 with a pair of singles. Chase Behler finished with an RBI-single.
Atchison finished the season just one game under .500 at 12-13. One pitch, error or hit could have easily changed this record, but sometimes the ball bounces your way and sometimes it doesn’t. The A’s will play on Monday, July 22nd, at 6:00 p.m. in Leavenworth against Manhattan in the Zone tournament.
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