Rattlers Lose To G. Giants

From the Capital-Journal:

ROSSVILLE — A big offensive inning can be a blessing and a curse for a pitcher. The run support is greatly appreciated, but the time spent in the dugout while his teammates bat around can throw off his rhythm.

The Topeka Golden Giants sent 12 batters to the plate in the fifth inning and scored seven runs. Pitcher Chris McPherson, who had cruised through four innings without allowing a hit, then gave up three runs and three hits to Rossville in the bottom of the inning.

That one tough inning was easily overcome, however, as the Golden Giants rolled to a 13-3, 8-inning run rule victory over the Rattlers in the opener of a three-game Mid-Plains League series Thursday at Joe Campbell Stadium.

“It’s hard to go back out after standing around for 30 minutes,” McPherson said. “I love the run support, though.”

The Giants (7-8 MPL) held a 3-0 lead when they erupted for the seven-run fifth, highlighted by Gunner Halter’s two-run home run.

The Rattlers (4-11) put the first three batters on base in the bottom of the inning with a single, walk and single. Tim Schaareman drove in two runs with a single.

“You have to stay warm,” McPherson said of the long wait between trips to the mound. “I was sitting down for a while and the coach (Chris Graves) came over and yapped at me and told me to get up and start moving again.”

That was all Rossville could manage off McPherson, who allowed four hits with six strikeouts and three walks in seven innings. He also hit four batters in the compact ballpark.

“I really don’t enjoy pitching at the field just because the field is so short,” said McPherson, a Seaman graduate who played the past two years at Allen County Community College but is undecided on his next school. “You just rely on defense and you have to hit your spots.

“My slider and two-seam were good for me tonight.”

The Giants pounded out 16 hits off four Rattler pitchers. Conner Rule had three hits with a solo homer while Bailey Pattin and MJ Farthing also had three-hit games.

Topeka bounced back from Tuesday’s road doubleheader loss at Liberty.

“It was a good start to the series,” McPherson said. “We definitely need to bring the momentum back tomorrow and try to get a sweep.”

GOLDEN GIANTS 13, RATTLERS 3

Topeka 020 170 21x — 13 16 0

Rossville 000 030 00x — 3 4 4

McPherson, Horak (8) and Kirmer. Michalski, Mah (4), Davis (5), Valenzuela-Reece (8) and Whitworth. W – McPherson. L – Michalski. 2B – Topeka: Pattin. HR – Topeka: Halter, Rule.

Rattlers Split DH At Independence Tue

   The Rattlers split their double header at their visit to the Independence Veterans on Tue. night, winning the first game 3-2, but losing the second 6-5

Rattlers Split Double Header On Monday

    The Rattlers split the Monday evening double header with the Independence Veterans at Joe Campbell Stadium. They lost game one 5-3 and won game two 3-0

Summer Events At Library

Events you won't want to miss!

• Ultimate Sports Trivia- please sign up so we know how many to plan for!
• Special Summer Book Discussion- great techno-thriller!
• Senior Citizen Bingo & Sandwiches
• Local History Night--find out all the great things we are doing to promote local history and genealogy!

Photos Of Willard Bridge Progress

Latest photos of the Willard Bridge construction by

George Brown

World Championship Meat Loaf Contest

From the Capital-Journal

Paxico business owners say they are expecting up to 1,500 people Saturday, June 18, at the town’s Meatloaf Festival.

This year, the festival’s eighth, will be the first in which the public will participate in judging of the “World Championship Meatloaf Cook-off Contest.” Eight teams — hailing from Alma, Rossville, Scranton, Topeka, Wamego and Paxico — have registered to compete, according to contest organizer Al Harris, owner of Fowl Territory antique store on Paxico’s Main Street.

Harris said that to the best of his knowledge, no other locale in the world hosts a meatloaf contest, which is why Paxico’s is titled the “world championship.”

For $5, Harris said, festivalgoers can purchase a bracelet that will allow them to taste-test each of the meatloaf contest’s entries. A penny vote placed in the teams’ buckets will determine the champion, he said.

Proceeds from the contest will benefit Paxico’s volunteer fire department, Harris said.

Larry Winkler, owner of Aunt Peg’s Antiques, said the festival will kick off with a parade at 10 a.m. Four food trucks will sell their fare downtown, and two wineries will offer free wine tasting.

The event also will include a flea market, carriage rides, kids’ activities, live music and a pie contest. Military vehicles from Fort Riley will be on display, and Paxico’s five downtown antique shops will be open for business.

Admission is free.

David Gauntt Drafted By Marlins

    Former Rattler Catcher David Gauntt of Washburn University was drafted by the Florida Marlins

Cole Gruber Drafted By A's

    Former Rattler Cole Gruber from the University of Nebraska -- Omaha has been drafted by the Oakland A's.

Rattlers Defeat Sabetha 7-2

      The Rattlers beat the Sabetha Lobos 7-2 on Sat. night.
      The Rattlers will be back  at The Joe Monday night at 5:00 PM for a double header against the visiting  Independence Veterans

Rattlers Lose Friday At Sabetha

    The Rossville Rattlers lost their Friday night game at Sabetha 16-6.

Rattlers Lose 20-18

    The Rossville Rattlers lost 20-18 in a wild baseball game at Sabetha on Thursday evening.

Rattlers Lose Game One At Liberty

    The Rossville Rattlers lost game one of their June 7 doubleheader with the Liberty Monarchs by a score of 6-4.

Rattlers Lose 2 On Monday

    The Rattlers played a double header at home on Monday evening, losing 13-4 in game one and 6-4 in game two against the Liberty Monarchs. 
    They play a double header in Liberty, MO Tuesday beginning at 1:00 pm.

Annual Alumni Dinner.

The Rossville High School Alumni reunion and party was held Saturday evening, June 4th at the Dekat Center in Rossville.  Attending were 90 alumni and guests.  The evening included a social time with dinner served at 6:00 p.m.   The program started with 10 former cheerleaders leading the Rossville High School Song.  Ashley Broxterman and Katie Conley were honored as the Alumni Foundation Scholarship winners for 2016.  Ashley and Katie spoke to the group about their accomplishments in school and goals for the future.   They were each awarded a $1000.00 scholarship to be used for their higher education. Toby McCullough, principal of Rossville High School, gave a very informative talk about the academic, music and sports awards of the High School students during this school year.  All alumni attending were introduced and stood to be recognized.  The classes of 1961 (55 years) and 1966 (50 years) each had seven classmates in attendance.  The oldest graduates in attendance were Jim Fitzgerald and Juanita Keller Raab.   They graduated in 1941 -- 75 years ago. After the meeting, class photos were taken.  It was a fun evening for all.                                                  June (Wehner) Burgett, Alumni Foundation President Scholarship winners:  Ashley Broxterman,  June Wehner Burgett- President,  Katie Conley  Class of 1961  left to right  Jane Zickefoose Davis, Pat Parr Martinek, Charlotte Decker Kling, Tom Lacock, Arletta Sage Nichols, Dean Davis, Don Rogers.   Class of 1966  left to right   Tom Sage, Carolyn Davis Sage, Bob Dolezilek, Larry Wehner, Linda Miller Wehner, Susan Nadeau, Charlotte Olejnik Moreland