Daniel Volk’s bat lifted the Chieftains to a thrilling in game 2, helping the Tonganoxie High baseball team to its first doubleheader sweep in more than three years.

John Volk frustrated Jeff West hitters in the first game to the tune of a no-hitter in seven innings, walking three batters in that stretch. Volk picked up his first victory of the season and a complete game in a 3-0 Tonganoxie victory.

In the second game, it was younger brother Daniel who gave Chieftain fans something to cheer about.

With runners on second and third, and two out, in the bottom of the sixth, Volk stepped to the plate. With two strikes against him and the game tied at three, Volk hit a line drive down the third-base line. The home-plate umpire ruled the ball fair and two runs scored. Tonganoxie held on for the 5-3 lead and evened its record to 2-2 on the young season.

“We played good defense,” THS coach Andy Gilner said. “We played really good defense.

“When you beat Jeff West, you’re beating one of the better teams in 4A.”

The Tigers have built a winning tradition, something Tonganoxie was accustomed to a few years ago. In recent years, THS has had its share of losing seasons, but Monday’s victories provided a big step in the right direction for the Chieftains.

Gilner also was pleased with his pitchers’ performances. Volk obviously was on fire in the first game, while Josh Putthoff came back from a rocky first start against Bonner Springs. Both pitchers now are 1-1.

“Josh came back and did a very good job considering his last outing,” Gilner said.

Volk handcuffed Jeff West batters in the first game — Putthoff did the same early on in the second game.

Although Putthoff allowed a run in the third, Jeff West batters didn’t make much noise until the fifth when the Tigers scored two runs and tied the game at three.

In the bottom of the sixth, Kelton Starcher got things started for Tonganoxie with an opposite-field hit to right field. The right-fielder misjudged the hit and it rolled past him, allowing Starcher to advance to second. In the next at-bat, Todd Brown’s single advanced Starcher to third. Jake Heskett then moved Brown to second on a groundball. With one out and two on, Clay Lamb struck out, setting up Daniel Volk’s at-bat that would put Tonganoxie ahead.

Jeff West out-hit Tonganoxie, 8-4, but the Tigers committed four errors. The Chieftains didn’t commit any errors.

Tonganoxie will take its two-game winning streak into Thursday’s game against Basehor-Linwood in Basehor. The game is set for 4:30 p.m.

Bonner Springs overpowers Tonganoxie

The second inning spelled doom twice for Tonganoxie on Thursday in Bonner Springs.

Bonner Springs held a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the second when the Braves scored three runs off John Volk. Tonganoxie scored a run in the top of the third and two more in the top of the seventh, but Bonner Springs held on for a 5-3 victory in Tonganoxie’s season opener.

In the second game, Bonner again scored in the first inning and held a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the second. This time, the Braves erupted for five runs in the second. Bonner Springs added three in the bottom of the fifth on its way to an 11-1 win in six innings. With the victories, Bonner Springs improved to 4-0 on the season.

Box scores

Bonner Springs 5-11, Tonganoxie 3-1

Game 1

Tonganoxie 001 000 2 — 3
Bonner Springs 130 010 x — 5

Game 2

Tonganoxie 000 010 — 1
Bonner Springs 350 03x — 11

Tonganoxie 3-5, Jeff West 0-3

Game 1

Jeff West 000 000 0 — 0 0 1
Tonganoxie 020 010 x — 3 3 1

Inside the game — John Volk, THS, threw a no-hitter. He had three walks. Tonganoxie and Jeff West each left four runners on base.

Game 2

Jeff West 001 020 0 — 3 8 4
Tonganoxie 003 002 x — 5 4 0

Inside the game — Daniel Volk, THS, scored the go-ahead runs in the bottom of the sixth with a double. Jeff West left seven runners on base, while Tonganoxie had stranded six. THS pitcher Josh Putthoff walked two batters, as did the Jeff West pitcher.