HUMBOLDT — The Burlington Wildcats snapped Humboldt’s four-game win streak, sweeping the Cubs Thursday 11-1 and 18-3.
A five-run fourth inning mercy-ruled Humboldt in the opener, their only run on an RBI grounder by sophomore shortstop Ty Shaughnessy, who tied junior pitcher Gavin Gunderman for the team lead in hits with one each.
Gunderman took the loss with a team-leading three strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings. He allowed 11 runs on 12 hits before senior Mason Sterling came on to register the final two outs, including his only strikeout of the evening.
After holding their own early in the second game, Humboldt could only slow down the Wildcats for so long, as Burlington scored 14 unanswered runs for a fourth-inning mercy-rule. Down by four following Burlington’s first at-bat, Gunderman lit up the scoreboard, reaching home on a passed ball. In the same inning, hot off his no-hitter earlier this week, freshman third baseman Mason Miller tripled for another run. An RBI single by sophomore designated hitter Kolton Hanson pulled Humboldt within a run, but that was as close as they would get.
On the mound, senior pitcher Grady Elder had a team-leading four strikeouts while coming on in relief in the third inning. Shaughnessy took the loss with a strikeout.
With the losses, the Cubs’ overall record dropped to 7-6. They return to the diamond Tuesday, when they host the Caney Valley Bullpups. First pitch for the opener is at 4:30 p.m. with a 6 p.m. time tentatively scheduled for the nightcap.
