From the Capital-Journal:
Getting off to a slow start this season with one win in the first six games, the Rossville Rattlers were waiting to put things together.
It all fell into place Saturday with a five-run first inning and a stellar pitching performance from Tom Skoro as the Rattlers beat the Topeka Golden Giants 6-3 at Joe Campbell Stadium, avoiding a sweep in the Mid-Plains League series.
“What I’ve been proud about with these guys is we’ve really been working hard in (batting practice),” Rattlers manager Tobi Cowdin said. “I kept telling them it was going to show up in the game eventually and it felt real good to put everything together tonight and have a good game.”
Skoro, a left-hander from Kansas State, allowed two runs on two hits in six innings, striking out nine and walking two. He silenced a Topeka lineup that produced 30 runs and 32 hits in the first two games of the series, combining with relievers Jimmy Larson and Caleb Littlejim for a three-hitter.
“He was using good pace,” Cowdin said of Skoro. “He kept hitters guessing with the pace he was using and he was getting his fastball and curveball over for strikes which kept their hitters off-balance all night long.”
The Rattlers (2-5) took control with a five-run first inning against Topeka starter Cameron Kay, highlighted by Carter Young’s three-run home run. Jordan Maxson had an RBI double as Rossville sent 10 batters to the plate in the inning.
“We’ve been behind the eight ball all season so far in the first inning so it felt good to get that lead and put a little pressure on the Giants for once,” Cowdin said.
Kay lasted only 12/3 innings, giving up five runs on six hits with five walks. Relievers Jarod Cooper and Jack Banks put the wraps on the Rattlers but the Giants (4-4) couldn’t overcome a 6-0 deficit against Skoro, who gave up a solo home to Carson Green in the third inning.
Dylan Watts, the Rattlers’ right fielder, was 4-for-5 at the plate.
“A game when the total runs don’t add up to 30 is pretty good here at the Joe,” Cowdin said. “The way the wind was blowing, I never would have thought that would happen but Skoro came out and really pitched well.”
Topeka 001 001 010 — 3 3 2
Rossville 510 000 00x — 6 10 1
Kay, Cooper (2), Banks (5) and Hoover. Skoro, Larson (7), Littlejim (9) and Maxson. W — Skoro. L — Kay. Sv — Littlejim. 2B — Topeka: Owen. Rossville: Maxson. HR — Topeka: Green. Rossville: Young.
The Rattler hard hat went to Pitcher Tom Skoro
who got the win by going 6 innings,
striking out 9, and giving up only 2 runs.
