Humboldt falls to Knights in 3A action

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Sports

May 25, 2013 - 12:00 AM

MANHATTAN — It was a case of too little, too late.
Humboldt High’s offense, which struggled mightily over the first few innings of the Class 3A state quarterfinals, began to click in the fifth inning against Salina-Sacred Heart starter Daniel O’Brien.
The Cubs scored three and had two runners in scoring position, still with nobody out.
Just as quickly, the rally ended. 
O’Brien induced a strikeout, then Caleb Vannata’s fly ball to Knight right fielder Justin McCartney turned into a double play when McCartney gunned down Corey Whitcomb at the plate.
Humboldt put two more runners on base in the sixth, but couldn’t score again in a 9-3 loss.
The defeat ends Humboldt’s season at 15-3. Sacred Heart advanced to the state semifinals to play Silver Lake, 
“We just seemed tentative at the plate,” Humboldt coach Mike Miller said. “We just couldn’t get that first run until it was too late.”
The Cubs struggled from the outset, falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, despite alllowing only one hit. Cub starter Grayson Pearish walked three in the frame, and a costly error prevented what could have been a double play with no runs scoring.
“Who knows what happens if we get that double play,” Miller said. “That inning set the tone.”
The Knights tacked on two runs in the second and three more in the third to lead 8-0.
Sacred Heart catcher Tate Richards stole home in the top of the fourth — part of a double steal — to put the Knights up 9-0.
Reliever Nathan Whitcomb, who replaced Grayson Pearish in the top of the third, settled down from there, retiring the final 11 Knight batters in order.
“We played better, but they have a good team over there,” Miller said.
Humboldt, meanwhile, was hitless until the bottom of the fifth.
That’s when things started to get interesting.
A walk and error preceded Hunter Murrow’s line drive double to score the Cubs’ first run. Corey Whitcomb and Nathan Whitcomb followed with singles to score two more.
A double steal by the Whitcombs had runners in scoring position, and O’Brien seemingly on the ropes, until the fateful double play let the air out of Humboldt’s proverbial balloon.
Pearish allowed three hits and three walks in his two innings of work. Nathan Whitcomb gave up four hits and struck out three.
Hunter Murrow had a double. Corey and Nathan Whitcomb each had a single, as did Kason Siemens and Alex Murrow.

THE LOSS should do little to spoil what has been a remarkable run for Humboldt athletics, Miller said. The Cub football, softball and boys basketball teams all made the state playoffs as well.
“It’s been a great year,” he said.
Humboldt loses only one senior from this year’s squad, but he will be a tough one to replace.
Nathan Whitcomb will play next year down the road from Humboldt at Neosho County Community College.
“He’s meant a great deal to this program,” Miller said. “He leaves some big shoes to fill, not just in baseball, but in all sports.”

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