Horak Named Male Athlete Of Year

From the Capital-Journal:

Rossville’s Tucker Horak was named the overall male athlete of the year for Shawnee County and also garnered outstanding fall male athlete honors after his historic 2015-16 sports season.

Horak was an immediate contributor from the moment he hit high school. But after a relatively quiet freshman year, the Bulldawg standout became a force in all three of his sports — football, basketball and baseball — earning all-league honors each of his last three seasons.

But it was football where he left his mark. After a huge junior season saw him lead Rossville to its first-ever state title, Horak produced an encore senior season for the ages. He became the first player in state history to rush and throw for more than 2,000 yards in the same season, and in leading the Bulldawgs to a second straight state title he finished his career ranked in the top 10 nationally for total offense.

“I would hope I set a good example for the young guys and helped set the foundation for the future of Rossville sports,” said Horak, a two-time All-State Top 11 selection. “My two brothers are coming up and I hope I was a good role model and they can be even more successful than I was. I hope me and the rest of my teammates did a good job of showing them the ropes and did everything we could do to keep the ball rolling here.”

Here is video from the Banquet.  http://ksnt.com/2016/06/23/area-athletes-recognized-at-shawnee-co-sports-banquet/

Semi Accident West Of Rossville

From the Capital-Journal:

A semi-trailer that rolled onto its side early Thursday afternoon resulted in an approximate 100-gallon diesel spill and the closure of US-24 highway in northwest Shawnee County, authorities said.

The crash was reported about 12:05 p.m. near N.W. 54th and US-24 highway, about a mile west of Rossville.

Kansas Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kimberly Qualls said US-24 is closed to both east- and westbound traffic at Arn Road as crews respond to the scene.

One person was reported to have been transported by American Medical Ambulance to a local hospital with injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening.

Rattlers Win In JC

The Rattlers added another win Thursday evening with an 8-4 win in Rathbert Stadium in Junction City.

Leslie Justice Passes Away

Maple Hill:”Leslie F. "Les" Justice, 89, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at a Topeka hospital.

He was born November 17, 1926 at Denton, Kansas the son of Clifford L. and Gladys L. Hamm Justice.   Les served in the United States Army during WWII and had been stationed in Germany.

Les had worked for A&P, the Veterans Administration, and had been an armored truck driver for Brinks.    He worked as a salesman for Flemings for over 35 years before his retirement.    Les was a member of the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church and the American Legion.    He was a past member of the Maple Hill Kiwanis Club.

On October 10, 1947 he was united in marriage to Sarah E. Corbin in Topeka.    She preceded him in death on December 9, 2001.    He was also preceded in death by his parents and a son, Robert  "Skipâ" Justice on January 24, 2005.

Survivors include his son, Loren Justice, Maple Hill; his daughter-in-law, Jennie Justice, Topeka; two grandchildren, Brandon (Jacinta) Justice and Cheyan Justice.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 30, 2016 at the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church with Inurnment at the Maple Hill Cemetery.   The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Maple Hill Senior Center and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.    To leave online condolences please go to www.piperfuneralhome.com

Rattler Split With Baldwin City

    The Rattlers split their double header at Baldwin City on Tuesday evening.  The Blues prevailed in game one 4-0,  but the Rattlers bounced back in game two with a 12-7 victory.
    The Rattlers are 4-1 in their last 5 games and next up is a Thursday night contest at Rathbert Stadium against the Junction City Brigade.

Timothy M. Deiter Passes Away

Maple Hill—Timothy Michael Deiter, 59, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2016 at a Charleston WV. hospital from injuries he had received in an accident.

He was born October 8, 1956 at Topeka, the son of Howard E. and G. Louise Cowan Deiter.  Tim grew up in the Maple Hill community and attended Maple Hill Elementary School.  He graduated from St. Marys High School in 1974.

After graduation Tim farmed for several years.  He then began his truck driving career that lasted 30 years.  Tim was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  He liked all sports, especially football and car racing.  Tim looked forward to family holiday dinners and loved home cooked food.  But most of all Tim loved his family.

Tim was preceded in death by a brother, Steven P. Deiter on October 21, 2012.

Survivors include his parents Howard and Louise Deiter, Maple Hill; children T.J. (Emily) Deiter, Kansas City, MO., Amy Deiter, Centralia and Brian Deiter, Topeka; siblings, Greg (Rachel) Deiter, Maple Hill, Shelley (Mike) Kruger and Julie (Chuck) Ross all of Silver Lake.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 27, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.  Tim will lie in state after 6:00 P.M. Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Piper Funeral Home where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Maple Hill Senior Center or to the charity of the donor’s choice and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Rattlers Win Two Monday Night

    The Baldwin City Blues dropped a pair of games to the 2015 Mid Plains League Champion Rossville Rattlers on Monday evening at historic Joe Campbell Stadium.
    The Rattlers used timely hitting and several miscues by the Blues to build the eventual 11-8 victory margin in game one.
     Game Two saw the Blue's RHP John Dokolas throw a complete game striking out 7 Rattler batters. However, a bases loaded double by  Rossville broke a 1-1 tie in the 5th leading to the eventual 4-1 Rattler victory.   The Rattlers now have a 3 game winning streak.
   . The Blues and Rattlers will resume  on Tuesday with a double header starting at 5:00 PM at Baldwin City..

Monday Night Double Header

The Rossville Rattlers take on the Baldwin City Blues Monday evening in a double header at

 5 PM and 7 PM  

at the  Joe Campbell Memorial Stadium. 

 Concession open at 6PM.

 Go Rattlers!

Brett Cowdin Memorial

   Pictured are participants in the third annual  Brett Cowdin Memorial program on Sat. night before the Rattlers defeated the Topeka Golden Giants 14-4. Other photos are available on the Rattler Facebook page.

Video of Friday Night Rattler Game

    Here is video of the Rattler's Friday night loss to the Golden Giants at Joe Campbell stadium.
http://ksnt.com/2016/06/17/golden-giants-double-up-rattlers-lobos-top-brigade-in-mid-plains-baseball/

Rattlers Get 14-4 Win Over Golden Giants

From the Capital-Journal:

ROSSVILLE — The third annual Memorial Night at Joe Campbell Stadium had the ideal setting with the game between the Rossville Rattlers and Topeka Golden Giants.

The night honored the late Brett Cowdin, who coached at five Shawnee County high schools and founded both the Golden Giants (2005) and Rattlers (2011). The Mid-Plains League rivals hooked up in the finale of a three-game series and Rossville avoided the sweep with a 14-4, run-rule victory Saturday night.

“To see the guys have success on the field makes me feel great,” said Tobi Cowdin, the Rattlers head coach and Brett’s son (Brett’s brother, Bruce, is the assistant coach). “To add it to everything going on out there today with my dad, that makes it very special. It was a great night for us.”

Danny Mitchell Jr. capped a big night as the Rattler designated hitter belted a walkoff grand slam to cap a seven-run seventh inning for the run-rule victory.

“I was just trying to help the team,” said Mitchell, who plays at Arkansas-Little Rock. “It was a big night for the team and an emotional night for coach so we were trying to do what we could.”

Mitchell also hit a grand slam in Friday’s loss, so that thought crept into his mind as he stepped to the plate against Topeka reliever Dalton Laird.

“I can’t say it wasn’t in the back of my head,” Mitchell said. “Was I trying to do that? No, but it happened.”

Mitchell went 3 for 5 with two doubles and seven RBIs.

“He’s seeing the ball well,” Cowdin said. “That’s a good kid. His dad was able to make it in from Arkansas today so that was nice for him.”

The Giants, who won the first two games by a combined score of 27-10, got on the board right away when Jacob Kirmer homered on the first pitch of the game. But Rattlers pitcher Jeremy Kravetz, a Kansas Jayhawk left-hander, recovered from that initial blow to contain the Giants (8-9 MPL).

Kravetz scattered eight hits with three strikeouts and four walks in a seven-inning complete game.

“He was keeping them off-balance with his off-speed pitches and throwing strikes with multiple pitches,” Cowdin said. “They are a great hitting team but he was able to mix up his pitches tonight.”

The Rattlers (5-12 MPL) tied the score in the bottom of the first when Jonathan Valenzuela-Reece, who was 3 for 5 with two RBIs, led off with a single and scored on Mitchell’s double. The Rattlers extended their lead to 5-1 after four innings, were up 7-2 after six when Mitchell hit a two-run double and they scored seven in the seventh for the run-rule win.

Giants starter Paul Wolfram pitched three-plus innings, giving up five runs on six hits.

Topeka 100 010 2 — 4 8 1

Rossville 130 102 7 — 14 13 0

Wolfram, Schwandt (4), Smith (7), Laird (7) and Kirmer. Kravetz and Whitworth, T.Peterson (6). W – Kravetz. L – Wolfram. 2B – Topeka: Eary. Rossville: Mitchell 2. HR – Topeka: Kirmer. Rossville: Mitchell.

Levi MaVorhis Signs With Cardinals

                                             

 Former Rattler and KSU Wildcat Levi MaVorhis  signed  with the St. Louis Cardinals! 

His bio can be read at:  http://www.kstatesports.com/sport/m-basebl/2015/roster/5589c1eee4b09d6fde8f4b75

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