Late Push Falls Short as Broncbusters Split with Otero
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 16 | 1 |
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6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 16 | 1 |
Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics
Garden City, KS – Garden City Community College jumped out to a fast start but could not hold off a late surge from Otero College, falling 13-11 in Game 2 of a doubleheader Tuesday at Williams Stadium.
The Broncbusters (17-25, 8-12) erupted for six runs in the opening inning and finished with 16 hits, but Otero used a pair of big middle innings to rally back and earn a split after Garden City's 22-15 win in Game 1.
Garden City wasted no time setting the tone in the bottom of the first, sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring six runs on seven hits. Akoi Burton delivered a two-run single, while Cael Hamrick added a two-run double to highlight the early offensive outburst.
Otero answered with a run in the second and added three more in the third to trim the deficit, but the Broncbusters extended their lead in the fourth. Sean Togher lifted a sacrifice fly that brought home two runs, pushing the advantage to 8-5.
The momentum shifted in the top of the fourth when Otero erupted for six runs on six hits, turning a deficit into an 11-8 lead.
Garden City continued to respond, plating two runs in the bottom half of the fourth to stay within striking distance before evening the game in the fifth. Justin Bush launched a solo home run, and Damon Hernandez followed with an RBI single to tie the contest at 10-10.
Otero regained control in the sixth with a two-run home run, and despite a late push from the Broncbusters, Garden City could not complete the comeback.
In the seventh, Aiden Wilson provided a spark with a solo home run, and Sean Togher followed with a double to bring the tying run into scoring position, but Otero recorded the final outs to secure the victory.
Offensively, Garden City totaled 16 hits, with Burton, Hamrick, Hernandez, and Togher leading the charge. Bush and Wilson each added home runs as part of a balanced attack.
On the mound, the Broncbusters battled through traffic but were unable to slow Otero's offense in the middle innings.
Key moment
Otero's six-run fourth inning shifted the momentum and proved to be the difference in the ballgame.
Key stat
Garden City recorded 16 hits and scored in four different innings but allowed nine runs across the fourth and sixth innings combined.
Up next
The Broncbusters remain at home Thursday, April 16th for a doubleheader against Colby Community College. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m., with Game 2 scheduled for 3:30 p.m.