HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Cubs began their path en route to a return to the state tournament with a 9-2 victory while hosting Central Burden Thursday night.
After withstanding a two-run volley from the Raiders in the opening frame, the Cubs rallied to score nine unanswered runs as sophomore pitcher Ty Shaughnessy tallied 14 strikeouts over the next 5 2/3 innings.
“He hasn’t pitched in two weeks but was incredible in relief,” Humboldt coach Mike Miller said. “He really mixed pitches well and held down their offense until we could get something going. Ty had a big two-run double to give us some breathing room in the fourth as well.”
As Shaughnessy no-hit the Raiders, allowing only three walks, an RBI grounder by freshman first baseman Bentley Kolb in the second inning put the Cubs on the scoreboard. A third-inning Shaughnessy single tied the game, then Humboldt took the lead on a fourth inning RBI grounder by senior second baseman Mason Sterling.
Humboldt poured on the runs from there as Shaughnessy drove in a pair of runs with an RBI double, then Sterling scored on a wild pitch in the sixth inning. A grounder by senior outfielder Grady Elder moments later scored the Cubs’ final run of the night as they held on for the win.
Along with his performance on the mound, Shaughnessy was equally impressive in the batter’s box. He had a team-leading three RBIs, tying junior starting pitcher Gavin Gunderman for the team lead in hits as the pair were successful in 3 of 4 at-bats. Senior outfielder Hayden Kelley had one hit.
With the win, the Cubs face the 13th-seed Bluestem Lions (5-16), who upset fourth-seed South Sumner (12-8) on Tuesday. In both of their previous contests against Bluestem, Humboldt won 16-1 and 24-3. If they advance, they play the winner of first-seed Cedar Vale/Dexter and ninth-seed Douglass (8-14) in the regional championship.
First pitch for Tuesday’s game in Dexter is at 2 p.m.
