The Emporia A-15s used solid pitching and strong defense to take a doubleheader sweep Saturday over Newton.
Emporia won the first game, 9-6, and the second one, 4-3, in Newton.
“We’re a fun team to watch,” Emporia A-15s coach Dick Evans said. “I’m real happy with how we played.”
The 15s, playing their 10th and 11th games in nine days, did their best to piece together a pitching staff in the doubleheader.
What they ended up getting was strong performances from all who took the mound.
Ethan Hall started Game One, allowing four runs in his 4 1/3 innings.
Brian Keisler allowed a single run in his 2/3 of an inning before Jacob Loucks finished the game with two scoreless frames.
Meanwhile, Emporia woke its bats up late.
After not scoring in the first three innings, the 15s exploded for nine runs the rest of the way.
Brett Lechien led Emporia with three hits, while Nate Flannigan and Remington Pinnick each added two singles.
The A-15s committed just one error.
“We played really good defense, which is important to me,” Evans said. “Everyone we put out there did really well.”
Evans was pleasantly surprised by the start he received in Game Two, as he put Malik Sommers on the mound in hopes that he could go two innings.
Instead, Sommers went 4 1/3, allowing just three hits and one earned run.
“I was thrilled with the job he did,” Evans said. “That may be the longest he’s gone.”
With the game tied at 3 in the seventh, Emporia came up with the key hit it needed.
Matt Fry delivered a two-out, two-strike single to drive in the game-winning run and make it 4-3.
“He’s a solid player,” Evans said. “He’s a utility guy — I can put him anywhere. He’s been a solid performer, and he always puts the bat on the ball.”
Loucks, who relieved Sommers in the fifth, recorded the final three outs to pick up his second win of the day.
Lechien added two hits, and Fry contributed two RBI.
Evans said the only area where his team didn’t perform well was moving runners. Emporia struggled with bunts and also left a combined 21 runners on base in the two games.
Emporia will be at home again Saturday to take on the Salina Eagles.
The A-15s will not play on Wednesday — a game against Manhattan listed on the schedule — because the two teams played in Emporia last week.
Saturday at Newton
Game One
Emporia 9, Newton 6
Emporia A-15s 000 313 2 — 9 10 1
Newton 201 030 0 — 6 10 5
W — Jacob Loucks. L — Lujano.
Emporia A-15 highlights — Brett Lechien 3-5, R; Nate Flannigan 2-4, RBI, R; Remington Pinnick 2-4, RBI, R.
Game Two
Emporia 4, Newton 3
Emporia A-15s 011 010 1 — 4 6 3
Newton 010 110 0 — 3 5 6
W — Jacob Loucks. L — Boulet.
Emporia A-15 highlights — Brett Lechien 2-3, R; Matt Fry 1-3, 2 RBI; Ethan Hall 1-3, RBI, R.