×
×
homepage logo

Chieftains still struggle for first win

By Amy Train - | Apr 25, 2001

The Tonganoxie High School baseball team is still looking for its first win of the season.

However, the Chieftains came close to gaining their first win in the opener of a twinbill at home April 17 against De Soto. The Chieftains lost by two runs in extra innings, 11-9. They are now 0-7.

Tonganoxie wasn’t able to earn more than one run in the nightcap. The Wildcats prevailed and run-ruled the Chieftains12-1 after just six innings.

After three innings in the first game, the score was tied, 2-2. Nathan Bailey earned the Chieftains’ first run in the second inning. Pat Weyer scored his first of two game runs in the third. The Wildcats scored both their runs in the third.

The Chieftains gained a little momentum during the fourth and fifth innings, scoring three runs in each for six of their nine runs. De Soto earned two. Tonganoxie led 8-4 after five. Kyle Rodell inched home for the Chieftains’ only run during the sixth inning with two stolen bases and a Wildcat fielding error.

The Chieftains’ 9-5 lead wasn’t as secure as it seemed, though. The Wildcats fought back with five runs in the seventh inning to tie the score at 9-9, sending the game into extra innings. In the eighth inning, Tonganoxie was unable to score and the Wildcats mustered two more runs to steal the game.

Rodell led the Chieftains with three runs. He hit 2-3 from the plate and stole base five times. Kyle Wedel scored two runs and Matt Weyer one.

Matt Alexander pitched 3 1/3 innings, had two walks, struck out two and walked six. Chuck Riddle closed the game for the loss giving up five earned runs.

In the nightcap, De Soto led 2-1 after two innings. Zach Sanders scored the Chieftains’ only run during the second inning. The Wildcats earned another run in the third inning and led 3-1 after four innings. The fifth inning was a doozy for the Chieftains. They gave up nine runs giving the Wildcats the win.

Mark Walters took the loss. He pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up six earned runs, walked three and had one strikeout.

The Chieftains traveled to Santa Fe Trail Tuesday night. They will play at 4 p.m. Friday at Perry-Lecompton.