BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

MULVANE – Great Bend Bat Cats reliever Grant Thompson preserved a 4-3 Sunflower Collegiate League baseball victory over the Mulvane Patriots Wednesday. Barton Community College pitcher Thompson retired Tyler Push to end the game with the bases loaded.

The Patriots loaded the bases when Brandon Ryan singled and Trey DeGarmo and Brett Hawkins walked, ending Travis Gilbert's night. But Thompson induced Push to hit into a game-ending forceout.

Bat Cat Trent Touchet delivered the game-winning eighth-inning homer off losing pitcher Jake Cleveringa to break a 3-3 tie.

The Bat Cats overcame four errors and left 16 Mulvane baserunners stranded. Bat Cat starter Jayden Saylor, Gilbert and Thompson left the bases loaded four times with two out. Shortstop Seth Kenagy and second baseman Collin Meinert turned a fifth-inning double play.

It was simply the biggest Sunflower Collegiate League victory of the season for the Bat Cats (5-6, 4-4 Sunflower).

Mulvane led 1-0 Gabe Colaianni scored on a bases-loaded walk. Saylor struck out Colby Deaville to leave the bases loaded.

The Bat Cats scored three third-inning runs for a 3-1 lead. Seth Kenagy scored on Brady Michel's bases-loaded walk. Jake Baker's single scored Alex Rodgers and Meinert.

Mulvane's Jack Maki drove home Colaianni on a sacrifice fly and Jackson Syring scored on a wild pitch for a 3-3 tie. Saylor retired Colby Standard with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. Gilbert preserved a one-run lead by retiring Standard to leave the bases loaded in the eighth inning.

Bat Cats 003 000 010 – 4 6 4

Mulvane 102 000 000 – 3 7 1

Saylor, Gilbert (6), Grant Thompson (9) and Bloomer. Jacobs, Cleveringa (7), Terry (9) and Standard. W–Gilbert. L–Cleveringa. Sv–G. Thompson. 2B–BC–Baker; M–Syring. HR–BC–Touchet.

SUNFLOWER COLLEGIATE LEAGUE

Cheney Diamond Dawgs 8-0 10-0

Hutchinson Monarchs 3-0 5-0 

Rose Hill Sluggers 6-2 6-2

Mulvane Patriots 4-4 4-4

Great Bend Bat Cats 4-4 5-6

Newton Rebels 3-4 4-4

Haysville Aviators 1-3 3-6

Derby Twins 1-7 1-7

Sunflower Seeds 1-7 1-7

6-23–Rose Hill 14, Bat Cats 8; Newton 3, Seeds 2; Haysville 5, Mulvane 4; Hutchinson 12, Grays 2; Cheney 4, Derby 3

6-24–Bat Cats 4, Mulvane 3; Cheney 10, Seeds 6; Rose Hill 8, Derby 6 

6-25–Bat Cats at Cheney Seeds; Cheney at Mulvane; Newton at Derby; Haysville at Hutchinson; Aeros at Sluggers

6-26–Seeds at Bat Cats; Mulvane at Cheney; Derby at Newton; Haysville at Hutchinson; Flax at Sluggers

6-27–Bat Cats at Seeds; Cheney at Mulvane; Newton at Derby; Hutchinson at Haysville

6-28–Seeds at Bat Cats; Mulvane at Cheney; Derby at Newton; Hutchinson at Haysville; Vipers at Sluggers