THS softball splits with Baldwin
The Tonganoxie High softball team guaranteed itself at least a .500 record this season with a two-game split Monday in a non-league doubleheader at Baldwin. Playing as the home team, the Chieftains won the first game, 6-5, and dropped the second, 18-9.
THS (9-5) found itself on the wrong side of a 3-1 score after one inning in the opener, but later went in front with a four-run third. Baldwin tied the game with two runs in the top of the fifth, but the Chieftains answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. That proved to be the game-winner, as pitcher Sammi Bates kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard in the final two frames.
Bates went the distance for the win. She allowed five earned runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking two. She helped her own case at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs batted in. Jaycee Knipp, Caly Ingle-Maxwell and Marissa Martin also had two-hit games.
The Chieftains saw their seven-game win streak come to an end in an mistake-filled nightcap. They pounded out nine runs on 17 hits, but couldn’t overcome seven defensive errors in the loss. THS held an 8-7 lead after three innings, but Baldwin outscored THS by an 11-1 margin the rest of the way, including five runs each in the fifth and seventh innings.
Morgan Oroke struggled in the pitcher’s circle, allowing four earned runs on 14 hits in 4.2 innings of work. Bates threw 2.1 innings of relief and gave up seven more hits. Defensive mishaps led to 14 unearned runs for Baldwin.
Bates had another big game on offense, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a double. Ingle-Maxwell and Martin each went 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Halley Calovich and Lainy Walker each had two hits.
THS was back in action Tuesday at home against Kaw Valley League rival Basehor-Linwood. It will wrap up its season Thursday at Bonner Springs, but the games won’t count toward regional seeding.
Game 1
BHS 300 020 0 — 5
THS 104 010 X — 6
Leading hitters: Sammi Bates 2-3, 3B, 2 RBI; Jaycee Knipp 2-3, 2B, RBI; Caly Ingle-Maxwell 2-3, RBI; Marissa Martin 2-3, 2B.
Game 2
BHS 250 150 5 — 18
THS 305 000 1 — 9
Leading hitters: Sammi Bates, 4-4, 2B; Caly Ingle-Maxwell 3-5, RBI; Marissa Martin 3-5, RBI; Halley Calovich 2-4; Lainy Walker 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI; Morgan Oroke 1-4, 2 RBI; Jaycee Knipp 1-4 RBI.