Greenbacks lose lead, third-place game in 4A baseball
SALINA — Pratt's four-run lead evaporated quickly to top-seeded Baxter Springs on Saturday in the third-place game of the Class 4A baseball tournament.
The Greenbacks gave up five runs in the fourth through six innings, then gave up the game-winner in the seventh after taking a lead in the top of the frame. Baxter Springs won 8-7.
"We were in good shape," Pratt coach Pat Stivers said. "We had the top of the lineup coming up in the (eighth) inning."
The game never went past the bottom of the seventh.
Pratt took a 7-6 lead on Jarrod Gilmore's single that scored B.J. Dean.
But Baxter's Lucas Westervelt's leadoff single quickly turned into a scoring threat after Pratt catcher Jacob Siroky attempted to throw out Tyler Underhill at first base after a walk. Siroky's throw went into right field, moving Westervelt to third base.
Two batters and one out later, Pratt intentionally walked Zak Himes to load the bases. Austin Karnes tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Westervelt.
"I don't care if they tied up the ballgame, I just wanted to get out of this inning," Stivers said. "With the top of the order up we could get some runs on the board and come out and do it again."
Pratt never got the chance.
Baxter's Hunter Miller blasted a shot to deep left field to score Underhill for the win.
"We had so many chances to put big numbers up on the board," Stivers said. "We didn't execute. We shot ourselves in the foot running the bases a couple of times. All that came back to get us in the end."
Third Place
Pratt (21-5) 221 100 1 — 7 13 5 Baxter Springs (18-3) 010 104 2 — 8 11 1
W—Miller. L—Dean.
Championship
Spring Hill (18-7) 010 000 2 — 3 7 3 St. James Academy (21-5) 102 024 x — 9 10 0
W—Burns. L—Lovetinsky.
Semifinals
Spring Hill (18-6) 512 000 0 — 8 8 2 Baxter Springs (17-3) 030 020 0 — 5 5 0
W—Girrens. L—Krokroskia.
St. James Academy (20-5) 317 02 — 13 10 2 Pratt (21-4) 000 10 — 1 3 4
W—Heller. L—Gilmore.