The Humboldt Cubs hope to enter the postseason on a high note by knocking off Osawatomie Thursday while vying for a high seed in the upcoming regional tournament.
The Cubs extended their win streak to six games after sweeping the Osage City Indians 4-1 and 8-2 Monday thanks to strong performances on the mound and timely hitting in the batter’s box.
“That’s a quality baseball team. I’m surprised to come away with two wins,” Humboldt coach Mike Miller said of the Indians. “I thought we did a good job at the plate tonight. We hit a lot of hard baseballs, but we hit a lot of balls right at them that they made some plays on. We got some guys that are starting to come around on the plate a little bit, and some pitchers that were throwing lights-out as well.”
The Indians jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening frame. The Cubs responded with an RBI single by senior outfielder Cole Mathes, the first of his team-leading two RBIs. The Cubs took the lead on an RBI single by freshman third baseman Ty Shaughnessy, then added two more runs in the third on RBIs from senior first baseman Colden Cook and Mathes. 
Kyler Isbell pitches after returning from injury.
“In game one, we just had fun with it,” Mathes said. “When we have fun, we hit the ball. When we’re trying too hard, when we’re down on ourselves, it’s hard to get anything done. It just takes one guy to bring us all together.”
Thanks to a complete-game, 15-strikeout performance by senior pitcher Logan Page, the Cubs only needed four runs for the win. Page also tied junior second baseman Mason Sterling, and Mathes for the team lead in hits with two each.
“When I’m on the field watching Logan pitch, it’s pretty relaxed out there,” Mathes said. “We have to stay focused. We trust Logan so much.”
Page’s bat stayed hot in the finale with a team-leading three hits. Senior pitcher Kyler Isbell returned to the mound after missing a few starts due to injury. Isbell upheld Humboldt’s end of a 0-0 stalemate until Shaughnessy put the Cubs ahead with an RBI single in the second inning. Senior catcher Jacob Harrington and Cook put Humboldt up 5-0 with a pair of RBI singles.
“I just listen to Coach Miller. When he tells me to hit the ball I do my best to put it up the middle. I just put the bat on the ball,” said Cook, who tied Harrington for the team lead in RBIs with two each.
The Cubs extended their lead with a third-inning RBI single from senior shortstop Blake Ellis, a bases-loaded walk and an insurance run in the sixth with a Page RBI double. On the mound, Isbell and Mathes kept the Indians at bay. Isbell picked up the win leaving in the fourth inning with three strikeouts, one earned run and three hits. Mathes came on in relief to tally a pair of strikeouts over two innings and three hits.
“As you get into regionals, you’re going to have to beat some good teams,” Miller said. “Anytime you can get wins over a good team, it helps build momentum as you come down the stretch. Hopefully, you’re playing your best baseball at the right time.”
Senior Avery Works receives a high-five from teammate Blake Ellis.
With the win, the Cubs improve to 18-4. First pitches for Thursday’s Osawatomie doubleheader are 4:30 and 6 p.m.
