CHANUTE — Neosho County coach Cody Lassman knew his team would have a tough challenge on Saturday when they traveled to Chanute to face off with the state runner-ups in Triple-A from a year ago.
The incredibly young Neosho County squad ran out a pitching staff that includes Gunner Elder and Jackson Aikens — two promising young arms who were still in Humboldt Middle School when Chanute stalwarts Corey Whitcomb and Jake Haviland were finishing up their tremendous high school careers in Humboldt.
“Yes and no,” Lassman said of whether there were positives to build from after the doubleheader. “We struggled defensively and that started early and we couldn’t recover. It was just tough to get going.”
Neosho County got off to a great start in game one when they grabbed a 1-0 lead at the end of the first inning after third baseman Wyatt Seufert tripled and scored on a Chanute error.
Chanute responded by posting seven runs in the second inning and were able to carry that momentum into a 12-4 victory.
In game two, Neosho County struggled to hold down Chanute’s offense.
Chanute scored seven in the first inning, eight in the second and five in the third for a 20-6 victory after four innings.
UP NEXT
Neosho County will play in the Chanute Tournament this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“We are going to have to pick it up defensively and I want to see them pick it up on the base paths as well,” Lassman said.
