SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
BUHLER, Kan. — The Buhler High School baseball team picked up two wins over Augusta on Thursday afternoon at Wheatland Park, 7-4 and 14-4.
The wins improve the Crusaders' record to 12-4 on the season, while Augusta drops to 2-11.
Game 1 — Buhler 14, Augusta 4
Dylan Scripsick drove in three runs and Mitchel McDaniel delivered a three-hit night as Buhler topped Augusta 7-4 on Thursday behind timely hitting and strong defense.
Augusta struck first with an RBI single by Dalton Apel in the opening frame, but Buhler answered in the bottom half when Scripsick singled down the left field line to even the score at 1-1.
Scripsick came through again in the second, driving in two more runs with a single to give the Crusaders a 3-1 lead. Augusta tied it up in the third on a sacrifice fly by Hulse and another RBI single from Apel.
Buhler broke the game open in the fourth as McDaniel plated two with a base hit, and Brayden Henry followed with an RBI double to push the lead to 6-3. The Crusaders added one more in the sixth to seal it.
Nixon Standlee earned the complete-game win for Buhler, allowing eight hits and just one earned run over seven innings. He struck out seven and walked one. Augusta starter Brody Haskell took the loss, giving up six runs on six hits over 4.2 innings while walking five and striking out three.
McDaniel finished 3-for-4 to lead Buhler in hits, while Scripsick went 2-for-3 with a team-high three RBIs. Cash Carson and Scripsick each stole two bases, as the Crusaders tallied five steals and drew six walks on the night. Buhler also flashed the leather, turning two double plays defensively.
Apel went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to pace Augusta’s offense. Haskell had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 as the leadoff hitter. Augusta also turned two double plays in the field.
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Game 2 — Buhler 14, Augusta 4
Mitchel McDaniel hit a grand slam and drove in four runs to lead Buhler to a 14-4 win over Augusta on Thursday, completing a doubleheader sweep at home.
McDaniel’s blast came in the fourth inning, clearing the left field fence to extend Buhler’s lead to 9-1. He also drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth to add another RBI as the Crusaders closed out the win by run rule.
Augusta opened the scoring in the first with an RBI single from Apel, but Buhler quickly responded. Brayden Henry tied the game with an RBI single and Jace Miller’s sacrifice fly made it 2-1 after one inning. The Crusaders added two more in the second on a Miller RBI single and a sac fly from Cash Carson.
Brett Scripsick drove in a run with a double in the third, and Carson added a two-RBI single in the sixth as part of a five-run frame that put the game out of reach.
Henry earned the win on the mound, tossing five innings and allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out two without a walk. Luke Holmberg pitched the sixth in relief. Augusta’s Paxton Bonham took the loss, giving up five runs (three earned) over three innings.
Buhler collected nine hits and showed great discipline at the plate, drawing 13 walks. Carson, Scripsick, and Henry had two hits each, while McDaniel, Miller, and Scripsick each walked twice. The Crusaders also stole five bases and turned a double play.
Apel led Augusta offensively, going 2-for-3.
Buhler will travel to Mulvane for its next contest on Thursday.