Bat Cats snap seven-game losing streak

BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtrune.com

Chance Ragsdale drilled a two-run homer and pitcher Joe Richter struck out 11 batters as the Great Bend Bat Cats snapped a seven-game losing streak with a solid 6-3 Sunflower Collegiate League baseball victory.

Barton Community College pitcher Richter provided a quality start by recording 11 of 17 outs on strikeouts at Al Burns Field. Relievers Brayden Smith and Ryan Peters combined for 31/3 innings of shutout baseball.

As usual, the Bat Cats started shakily as Tyler DeLong singled home Kole Myers and Brennan VanBreuegen stole home on a double steal in the first inning.

The Bat Cats responded with a three-run first inning. Alex Rodgers scored on Jake Baker's groundout. Tyler Henry singled home Collin Meinert and Brady Michel for a 3-2 lead. Alex Rodgers scored on Baker's fourth-inning groundout for a 4-2 lead.

Ragsdale provided two valuable fifth-inning insurance runs that drove home Henry off reliever Clack for a 6-2 lead. Derby's Cade Clemons doubled home Tyler DeLong in the sixth inning to end Richter's night. Brayden Smith retired four consecutive batters.

Two runners reached base against Peters, who retired Cole Romero and Kole Myers to end the ballgame.

BAT CATS 6, TWINS 3

Derby 200 001 000 – 3 8 3

Bat Cats 300 120 00x – 6 11 2

Johnson, Clack (3), Navarette (5), Farmer (7) and McGee, Freeman. Richter, Smith (6), Peters (8) and Touchet. W–Richter. L–Johnson. 2B–BC–Rodgers; D–Clemons. HR–BC–Ragsdale.

SUNFLOWER COLLEGIATE LEAGUE

Cheney Diamond Dawgs 21-2 27-2

Hutchinson Monarchs 19-4 21-4

Rose Hill Sluggers 17-6 20-7

Great Bend Bat Cats 12-15 13-17

Mulvane Patriots 9-14 11-14

Newton Rebels 9-14 12-15

Derby Twins 10-16 10-16

Haysville Aviators 5-17 7-20

Sunflower Seeds 5-19 5-19

7-16–Derby 13, Bat Cats 3; Newton 6, Cheney 5; Rose Hill 6, Haysville 3; Hutchinson 6, Mulvane 3

7-17–Bat Cats 6, Derby 3; Newton 8, Cheney 5; Haysville 7, Rose Hill 4; Hutchinson 7, Mulvane 5