Busters Sweep Pratt Behind Strong Game 2 Finish
Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics
Garden City, KS – Garden City Community College secured a doubleheader sweep of Pratt Community College on Friday, using timely hitting and a steady defensive effort to earn a 4-1 victory in Game 2.
The Broncbusters (26-20, 13-11) backed up their Game 1 win with another controlled performance, scoring early and adding insurance late to complete the conference sweep.
Garden City wasted no time jumping in front. After a two-out double from Maysen Kurene-Iwikau in the first inning, Maiarangi Waipara delivered an RBI single to open the scoring. Zoey Torres followed with another RBI base hit, giving the Broncbusters a 2-0 lead after one inning.
Pratt answered in the third inning with a two-out RBI triple to cut the deficit to 2-1, but Garden City pitching limited further damage and held the Beavers in check the rest of the way.
The game remained tight into the later innings before the Broncbusters created separation in the sixth. Waipara sparked the rally with a leadoff single, and after advancing on a wild pitch, Averie Ashford delivered an RBI single to extend the lead. Reagan Sword followed with a sacrifice fly, pushing the advantage to 4-1.
Garden City's pitching staff closed the door from there, stranding runners in both the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the win. Pratt was limited to just one run on seven hits in the contest.
Waipara and Torres paced the offense at the top of the lineup, each driving in a run in the opening frame, while Ashford added a key RBI in the sixth. Sword contributed with a sacrifice fly as part of a balanced offensive effort.
Key moment
Garden City's two-run sixth inning provided critical insurance, turning a one-run game into a three-run cushion heading into the final frame.
Key stat
The Broncbusters scored all four of their runs with two outs or situational execution, including a sacrifice fly and multiple RBI singles.
Up next
Garden City travels to Hutchinson for a conference doubleheader on Wednesday, April 22, with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
