MCPHERSON — The Great Bend Braves, a Class A American Legion baseball team, swept a doubleheader in McPherson on Friday night, taking the first game 10-2 and winning the nightcap 12-3.
Both games ended in the fifth inning because of the run rule. The Braves advance their record to 22-5 on the season.
Lance Ward worked the mound for the Braves in the first game, pitching a complete game. He gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits, two walks and a hit by pitch.
Ward finished the game with eight strikeouts.
“Lance had a pretty strong start,” Braves head coach Randy Beck said. “He didn’t walk too many people and he didn’t give out too many free passes. He had a couple of pitches in the zone to keep the hitters guessing.”
From the plate, eight of the nine Braves starters were able to get hits. Bryce Beck had a big game, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Ward aided his own cause with three RBIs, including a two-run double to get the Braves started in the fourth inning.
Great Bend scored five runs in the fourth to put the game out of reach.
Braden Jones got the win in the second game, pitching all five innings for the Braves. He gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits, two walks and one hit by pitch.
Jones had six strikeouts against McPherson.
Danny Herrman led the Braves from the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. He also scored two runs.
Jonathon Allende went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and a walk. He crossed the plate three times.
“We did a good job putting the ball in play,” Randy Beck said. “The one thing I thought we did well in both games was hitting with two strikes. We were able to get the ball in play when we had two strikes on us.
“We did a good job capitalizing on their mistakes.”
The Braves have a doubleheader today against Andover at Al Burn Memorial Field. The first game is slated to begin at 2 p.m.