Busters Ride 10-Run First Inning to 22-18 Victory

Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics

Liberal, KS – Garden City Community College erupted for 22 runs in a wild offensive showcase, outlasting Seward County 22-18 in Game 2 of a conference doubleheader Sunday.

The Broncbusters (20-16, 7-7) scored in four different innings, including a 10-run first inning, and held off multiple Seward County rallies in a back-and-forth slugfest that featured 40 combined runs and 38 total hits.

Garden City wasted no time setting the tone, sending 15 batters to the plate in the opening frame. Maysen Kurene-Iwikau and Maiarangi Waipara each delivered RBI hits early in the inning, while Danna Viera capped the surge with a two-run single as part of a 10-run outburst.

Seward County answered immediately with seven runs in the bottom half of the inning, trimming the deficit to 10-7 and setting the stage for a high-scoring battle the rest of the way.

The Broncbusters added four more runs in the second inning behind RBI hits from Viera, Waipara, and Zoey Torres to extend the lead to 14-9. Seward continued to chip away, scoring in four of the next five innings, including a four-run fifth that briefly cut the margin to one.

Garden City responded in the sixth with four runs, highlighted by a two-run sequence from Torres and a sacrifice fly by Averie Ashford. The Broncbusters then created breathing room in the seventh as Kurene-Iwikau launched a two-run home run and Valeria Mandujano added a two-run single to push the lead to 22-16.

Kurene-Iwikau led the offensive explosion, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and five runs scored. Viera also had a standout day, finishing with two hits, three RBI, and four runs scored, while Waipara drove in three runs. Torres added three hits and two RBI, and Hendrix reached base four times and scored four runs as part of an 17-hit effort.

In the circle, Valeria Mandujano (8-4) earned the win despite a tough outing, allowing 13 runs over 3.1 innings. Ashlyn Powell provided key relief innings, limiting damage during the middle frames, while Maddie Scott closed out the final stretch.

Key moment
Garden City's 10-run first inning proved to be the difference, giving the Broncbusters just enough cushion to withstand Seward County's repeated rallies.

Key stat
The Broncbusters scored 22 runs on 17 hits and drew 11 walks, overcoming five errors in a game that featured 40 combined runs.

Up next
Garden City returns home to face Barton Community College in a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 1 at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.