Big Third Inning Lifts Butler Past Broncbusters in Game 2
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 16 | 1 |
|
|
1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 4 |
Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics
GARDEN CITY, KS – Garden City Community College dropped Game 2 of a home doubleheader Friday, falling to Butler Community College 18-10 in a high-scoring contest.
The Broncbusters (26-24, 13-15) jumped out to an early advantage and matched Butler offensively through the first two innings, but the Grizzlies used a decisive eight-run third inning and continued offensive pressure to pull away.
Garden City struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on an error and aggressive baserunning to take a 1-0 lead. The Busters followed with a four-run second inning, highlighted by timely hits from Maysen Kurene-Iwikau and Maiarangi Waipara, building a 5-0 advantage.
Butler responded in a major way in the third inning, plating eight runs on just three hits while taking advantage of walks, hit-by-pitches, and a grand slam to swing momentum and take an 8-5 lead.
Garden City answered with a run in the third and two more in the fourth to stay within striking distance at 10-8. Waipara and Lexy Hickey each delivered RBI hits during the stretch as the Broncbusters continued to apply pressure.
The Grizzlies extended their lead in the fifth with five more runs, fueled by a pair of home runs and continued timely hitting, before adding three additional runs in the sixth to push the margin to 18-8.
Garden City plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-RBI double by Reagan Sword, but the rally fell short as Butler secured the 18-10 victory.
The Broncbusters finished with 10 runs on 12 hits, with multiple players contributing throughout the lineup. Kurene-Iwikau, Waipara, and Sword each delivered key extra-base hits, while Hickey and Izzy Foster added multi-hit efforts.
Key moment
Butler's eight-run third inning erased an early five-run deficit and shifted control of the game.
Key stat
Garden City totaled 10 runs on 12 hits, but Butler capitalized on 16 hits and multiple big innings, including an eight-run third, to secure the win.