Butler earns split with Barton County via walk-off home run
Jeremy Costello
Issue date: 5/2/05 Section: Op/Ed
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Butler v. Barton
The baseball team is heading into the last leg of the season, trying to move back to the crowded top of the division. The Grizzlies still have to compete with Garden, Seward and Hutchinson, who are all trying to get the best positioning before the playoffs begin.
But first, the Grizzlies have to take care of business to close out the regular season. Butler played host to Barton County and ended up splitting the two seven-inning game series.
The Grizzlies lost the first game 6-2 despite four errors committed by Barton. The game was a battle of great pitching as Butler's ace Mickey Lara, Wichita sophomore, was on the mound for the Grizzlies. Despite a good outing, though it wasn't his best, Butler batters had a hard time finding their rhythm, getting only six hits as a team. Lara's record fell to 8-2 on the year.
In the second game, the Grizzlies found themselves down 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Once again, the Butler batters were having a tough time against the Barton pitchers. But the Grizzlies finished strong and made an exciting, against the odds comeback, scoring three runs to win the game 5-4. Dustin Koca, Pappillion, Neb. freshman, picked up the win, improving his record to 7-4 on the season.
With the split, Butler improved its record to 27-21 overall, with a 17-11 conference record. The Grizzlies are trying to make a push before the Region VI Jayhawk Conference tournament begins on the weekend of May 7-8.
Butler v. Garden
On Saturday, April 23, Butler hosted Garden City. Butler, who is one of the hottest teams playing in the league, would need to get a split with Garden to get at least a three way tie for first place in the conference. Butler got the split winning the first game winning 3-2 and then lost 4-2 in the second game.
In the first game, the Grizzlies would look to Ty Reese, McPherson sophomore, as the starting pitcher. Reese went seven innings and allowed seven hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts. Reese would get the win as the Grizzlies went into extra innings. Ramsey Mattison, Jenks, Okla. sophomore, would relieve Reese in the eighth inning allowing no hits.
Butler had a total of six hits compared to the Broncbusters' seven. Butler's James Bina, Marion sophomore, would lead the Grizzlies in batting, hitting 2-4.
In the second game, Butler would start Marcus Lara, El Dorado sophomore, on the mound. Lara would pitch five and one third innings and give up four hits and two earned runs. Lara would be relieved by Clint Christensen, Bennington, Neb. sophomore, who would pitch the rest of the game. Christensen would allow no hits.
Butler would have only four hits compared to Garden's six. Butler would lose the game 4-2.
The baseball team is heading into the last leg of the season, trying to move back to the crowded top of the division. The Grizzlies still have to compete with Garden, Seward and Hutchinson, who are all trying to get the best positioning before the playoffs begin.
But first, the Grizzlies have to take care of business to close out the regular season. Butler played host to Barton County and ended up splitting the two seven-inning game series.
The Grizzlies lost the first game 6-2 despite four errors committed by Barton. The game was a battle of great pitching as Butler's ace Mickey Lara, Wichita sophomore, was on the mound for the Grizzlies. Despite a good outing, though it wasn't his best, Butler batters had a hard time finding their rhythm, getting only six hits as a team. Lara's record fell to 8-2 on the year.
In the second game, the Grizzlies found themselves down 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Once again, the Butler batters were having a tough time against the Barton pitchers. But the Grizzlies finished strong and made an exciting, against the odds comeback, scoring three runs to win the game 5-4. Dustin Koca, Pappillion, Neb. freshman, picked up the win, improving his record to 7-4 on the season.
With the split, Butler improved its record to 27-21 overall, with a 17-11 conference record. The Grizzlies are trying to make a push before the Region VI Jayhawk Conference tournament begins on the weekend of May 7-8.
Butler v. Garden
On Saturday, April 23, Butler hosted Garden City. Butler, who is one of the hottest teams playing in the league, would need to get a split with Garden to get at least a three way tie for first place in the conference. Butler got the split winning the first game winning 3-2 and then lost 4-2 in the second game.
In the first game, the Grizzlies would look to Ty Reese, McPherson sophomore, as the starting pitcher. Reese went seven innings and allowed seven hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts. Reese would get the win as the Grizzlies went into extra innings. Ramsey Mattison, Jenks, Okla. sophomore, would relieve Reese in the eighth inning allowing no hits.
Butler had a total of six hits compared to the Broncbusters' seven. Butler's James Bina, Marion sophomore, would lead the Grizzlies in batting, hitting 2-4.
In the second game, Butler would start Marcus Lara, El Dorado sophomore, on the mound. Lara would pitch five and one third innings and give up four hits and two earned runs. Lara would be relieved by Clint Christensen, Bennington, Neb. sophomore, who would pitch the rest of the game. Christensen would allow no hits.
Butler would have only four hits compared to Garden's six. Butler would lose the game 4-2.