AAs use strong pitching to take
10-4 and 1-0 wins over K.C. Ward
The Emporia AAs Blue team extended its win streak to eight games with 10-4 and 1-0 victories over K.C. Ward on Tuesday night in Kansas City, Kan.
“We’ve been playing well,” Emporia coach Dick Evans said. “I just hope we continue to play like we’ve been playing.”
The first game was close throughout, as Emporia held a 3-2 lead for most of the contest before pulling away late.
Nate Flanagin contributed his first home run of the year — a three-run shot that came with two strikes and two outs.
Jacob Loucks later added a key two-out, two-run double to extend Emporia’s lead.
“We do a real good job of putting the ball in play,” Evans said. “We don’t have many strikeouts.”
Brett Lechien picked up the win, with Loucks coming on in relief.
In Game Two, Evans decided to go with Matt Fry on the mound even though he hadn’t pitched in a long time.
The coach was ecstatic with the result.
“He just looked like he’d been born out there,” Evans said.
Fry allowed no runs and just three hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched. He also walked none.
Meanwhile, Emporia was able to score its only run in the fifth. Lechien led off with a walk, and after a bunt, he later scored on a sacrifice fly.
Loucks pitched the last 1 2/3 innings for the save.
Emporia has used seven different starting pitchers in its eight-game win streak.
After opening with 12 consecutive road games, the Blue team (9-3) will finally get its first home games this weekend at the Wendy’s Tournament.
Emporia will play at 5 p.m. Friday against the Wichita Sox and at 7:15 p.m. against Nixa, Mo.