Senators Get 4-3 Win Over Rattlers

From CJOnline
    Chase Knott twice came through in the clutch, lifting the Topeka Senators to a 4-3 win over Rossville on Wednesday.
    With the win, the Senators improved to 6-4 and are now tied for second place with the Junction City Brigade in the Mid-Plains League.
    Knott, a shortstop from Rogers State (Okla.) University, hit a game-winning home run in the eighth inning on a 3-0 count. It was a swing in which Knott did not have the green light.
    “I just decided to go,” Knott said. “In a tied ballgame with a short porch, I just decided to take a cut.”
    Rossville loaded the bases in the ninth inning against closer Tanner Gragg, and Knott, who had not pitched in three years, came in and finished the game by inducing a grounder.
    “I had not pitched since my senior year in high school in 2011,” Knott said. “We were out of pitching so someone had to come in.”
    The Rattlers jumped out to a 3-1 lead, one of the runs scored via a solo home run by first baseman Harrison Hill.
    Senators second baseman Andrew Ramirez tied the game in the sixth by hitting a two-run double down the left-field line.
    “We needed a big hit down two runs,” Ramirez said. “The pitcher went down and away, and I just got the job done.”
    Anthony Miele earned the win throwing two-plus innings of scoreless relief. It was the second appearance for Miele in the three-game series. Miele, a side-armed pitcher from Allen County Community College, did not give up a hit and is becoming someone Senators coach Chris Graves can lean on for big outs.
    “I loved the fight tonight,” Graves said. “And Miele did a great job. I love the sidearm. I think everyone loves the side-armer. If he picks up a few miles an hour, he has a chance to become a great closer.”
Topeka got multiple-hit nights from Austin Culwell, Kameron Clark and Chase Ray.
    Rossville wasted a strong outing from former Topeka West Charger Ben Ramberg, who threw five solid innings. Rossville left 12 runners on base and the loss drops the Rattlers to 1-8 in Mid-Plains play.


Topeka (6-4)   000 012 010 — 4 9 2
Rossville (1-8) 011 010 000 — 3 7 2

Michaels, Miele (6), Gragg (9), Knott (9) and Gragg, Hay (9). Ramberg, Plassmeyer (6 ) and Christian. W — Miele. L — Plassmeyer. S – Knott. 2B — Topeka: Ramirez, Rossville: Schaareman. HR — Topeka: Knott, Rossville: Hill.