OSAGE CITY — The Humboldt Cubs slipped in the nightcap, 15-3, of Monday’s penultimate regular season doubleheader after taking the first contest 15-5.
In game 2, the Cubs rebounded with 12 unanswered runs while riding the arm of senior relief pitcher Grady Elder to victory.
“Grady was great,” Humboldt coach Mike Miller said. “He made some really big pitches to get us out of trouble and we played solid defense behind him. We were able to take advantage of some walks and errors to put up a lot of runs late.”
An Elder RBI single in the opening frame put Humboldt on the scoreboard, then a two-RBI single by sophomore Kolton Hanson in the second inning kept the Cubs in control.
After Osage City rallied to briefly take the lead, a two run RBI-single by freshman first baseman Bentley Kolb kick-started Humboldt.
Once the dust settled, freshman shortstop Mason Miller and senior second baseman Mason Sterling had a team-leading three RBIs each.
Elder and freshman third baseman Tucker Wrestler had two RBIs. Elder was also Humboldt’s leading hitter while successful in 3 of 4 at-bats. Sterling had two hits.
Elder picked up the win with five strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings. Junior starter Gavin Gunderman had three strikeouts.
The Cubs’ luck ran out in the nightcap. Osage City scored 15 unanswered runs in the opening two innings and Humboldt’s three-run response in the third was not enough.
Miller and sophomore catcher Weston Johnson accounted for Humboldt’s RBIs while four players tied for the team lead in hits with one each.
“Too many walks led to a couple of big innings and we just couldn’t get anything going at the plate,” Coach Miller said. “We weren’t focused and ready to play. I’ve got to do a better job of having our guys ready from the first pitch.”
Following the split, the Cubs have a 12-10 record.
They wrap up the regular season Friday on the road in a against the Osawatomie Trojans.
First pitch for the opener is at 4:30 p.m. with the nightcap to start around 6 p.m.
