ROSSVILLE — After two nights of witnessing the Rossville Rattlers hit home run after home run, the Topeka Senators broke out their power bats in a 16-1 victory Saturday night to salvage the final game of a three-game Mid-Plains League set.
Topeka (7-13) hit five home runs in the first two innings on its way to the blowout win. After missing two games, designated hitter Chase Knott returned to the lineup and hit a two-run home run in the first inning. First baseman Corey Wright, who plays for Kansas State, followed that up with a solo shot to go back-to-back.
Brian O’Bannon, also a member of Brad Hill’s K-State squad, and Kasey Clark hit three-run home runs in the second inning as the Senators sent 13 men to the plate in the eight-run inning.
After two outs had been recorded, nine batters in a row reached base, with seven of them scoring.
“Honestly, the biggest change was having Chase back,” Senators coach Chris Graves said. “He makes everybody better. Our demeanor changes when he is here. Chase is a quiet kid, but he’s got a loud bat. He is batting officially over .500 after tonight, so he can swing it.”
Seaman graduate Chris McPherson benefited from the offensive production, as the former Viking threw three-hit ball over five innings to earn the victory.
“Chris did a great job, and you always want a kid like that pitching when the wind is blowing out,” Graves said. “He does a good job of mixing things up with different arm angles.”
All but one Senator in the lineup scored or drove in at least one run. Six Senators had multi-hit games — led by Knott’s three-hit effort.
Josh Srna, who plays for Washburn, hit two home runs, including a three-run shot in the fifth inning accounting for the final runs.
The Senators continue to play shorthanded and currently have the smallest roster of players in the league.
“It feels really good when everybody in the lineup is squaring the ball up,” Knott said. “I like being the smallest team in the league. We may have the smallest roster but we are probably the scrappiest team in the league.”
Michael Higgins had two hits for the Rattlers, who fell to 8-5 with the loss. They will play the Midwest A’s in a doubleheader Sunday in Raytown, Mo. The Senators return to action Monday as they host the Junction City Brigade at Jerry Robertson Field.
Senators (7-13) 381 13 — 16 16 2
Rattlers (8-5) 010 00 — 1 3 2
McPherson and Hay. Kutzke, Head (2), Johnson (3), Holmes (5) and Nerz. W — McPherson. L — Kutzke. 2B — Senators: Wright. Rattlers: Scribner. HR — Senators: Srna 2, Knott, Wright, O’Bannon, Clark.
Topeka (7-13) hit five home runs in the first two innings on its way to the blowout win. After missing two games, designated hitter Chase Knott returned to the lineup and hit a two-run home run in the first inning. First baseman Corey Wright, who plays for Kansas State, followed that up with a solo shot to go back-to-back.
Brian O’Bannon, also a member of Brad Hill’s K-State squad, and Kasey Clark hit three-run home runs in the second inning as the Senators sent 13 men to the plate in the eight-run inning.
After two outs had been recorded, nine batters in a row reached base, with seven of them scoring.
“Honestly, the biggest change was having Chase back,” Senators coach Chris Graves said. “He makes everybody better. Our demeanor changes when he is here. Chase is a quiet kid, but he’s got a loud bat. He is batting officially over .500 after tonight, so he can swing it.”
Seaman graduate Chris McPherson benefited from the offensive production, as the former Viking threw three-hit ball over five innings to earn the victory.
“Chris did a great job, and you always want a kid like that pitching when the wind is blowing out,” Graves said. “He does a good job of mixing things up with different arm angles.”
All but one Senator in the lineup scored or drove in at least one run. Six Senators had multi-hit games — led by Knott’s three-hit effort.
Josh Srna, who plays for Washburn, hit two home runs, including a three-run shot in the fifth inning accounting for the final runs.
The Senators continue to play shorthanded and currently have the smallest roster of players in the league.
“It feels really good when everybody in the lineup is squaring the ball up,” Knott said. “I like being the smallest team in the league. We may have the smallest roster but we are probably the scrappiest team in the league.”
Michael Higgins had two hits for the Rattlers, who fell to 8-5 with the loss. They will play the Midwest A’s in a doubleheader Sunday in Raytown, Mo. The Senators return to action Monday as they host the Junction City Brigade at Jerry Robertson Field.
Senators (7-13) 381 13 — 16 16 2
Rattlers (8-5) 010 00 — 1 3 2
McPherson and Hay. Kutzke, Head (2), Johnson (3), Holmes (5) and Nerz. W — McPherson. L — Kutzke. 2B — Senators: Wright. Rattlers: Scribner. HR — Senators: Srna 2, Knott, Wright, O’Bannon, Clark.
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