From the Capital Journal:
A sixth-inning implosion by the Rossville Rattlers on Friday night gave the Topeka Golden Giants all they would need for their second straight come-from-behind victory.
Rossville committed two errors, walked a pair and hit a batter in Topeka’s three-run inning, which gave the Golden Giants a lead they would not relinquish in a 6-2 victory at Jerry Robertson Field.
Rattlers starter Tyler Davis, who pitches for Kansas, cruised through the first five innings, allowing just one hit and no runs. But his defense struggled behind him in the sixth in the battle between Mid-Plains League teams fighting for playoff seedings.
Topeka’s Johnny Hodges opened the sixth by reaching base on a throwing error, then moved to second when Ryan Ihle was plunked with a curve ball that didn’t curve. Davis retired the next two batters in the inning before issuing a walk to Kolton Schenker to load the bases.
Fort Hays State’s Casey Sedbrook would clear them. He hit a two-run single to right that the Rattlers right fielder overran, allowing Schenker to score all the way from first.
“I got a fastball in that got in on my hands. The pitcher got the ground ball that he was probably looking for,” Sedbrook said. “It’s baseball, and I found a hole. The right fielder came on a little hard, made an error and let the other guy score.”
Ben Dalke earned the win for Topeka, which improved to 18-16 in Mid-Plains League play.
“Ben threw well and was getting ahead of hitters,” Golden Giants coach John Tetuan said. “Having a starting pitcher set the tone in a game is huge, especially when their pitcher was throwing well. They scored two unearned runs, but that’s not on him. He pitched well enough to win and that is all we can ask.”
The Rattlers (18-13) scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Collin Scribner scored a run on a Golden Giants’ throwing error in the fifth and Jonathan Valenzuela-Reece scored in front of a Colton Kooser single in the sixth.
Dalke, who plays at Colby Community College, threw six innings and allowed six hits. He struck out seven batters while walking two. Ty Geary came in and earned the save in relief with three innings of two-hit shutout ball.
“My stuff was moving and that’s what helped,” Dalke said. “My off-speed was working tonight and I got some strikeouts which I don’t normally do. I was just happy that Ty didn’t get to snake another win from me. He came in and closed things down.”
Topeka added an insurance run in the seventh as Ihle hit a run-scoring single. The Giants then put the game away with two runs in the eighth on RBI singles by JB Eary and Kellen Myers.
The three-game series is scheduled to conclude at 7 p.m Saturday with the Golden Giants looking for the sweep.
Rattlers 000 110 000 — 2 8 3
Giants 000 003 12X — 6 6 1
Davis, Hosey (7) and Nerz. Dalke, Geary (7), and Tapia. W — Dalke. L — Davis. S – Geary.
Records — Rattlers 18-13, Giants 18-16.
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