HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson High School baseball team earned a split with the Maize Eagles on Friday at Hobart-Detter Field in Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League (AVCTL) play. The Salthawks dropped the opener 4-3, and then bounced back for a 9-4 win in game 2.
The Salthawks were out-hit in the first game, 8-3, but timely defense and strong starting pitching kept Hutch in the game. Jack Davis got the start on the mound, going 6.2 innings, striking out eight and walking just one.
Maize (9-9) and Hutch (2-14) each scored two runs in the fifth inning and one in the sixth, but the difference maker would be the single run the Eagles scratched across in the second on a fielders choice in the infield.
The second game saw the Salthawks get the offense going early, scoring three runs in the first. After Maize answered with one of their own in the second, the Salthawks scored four more in the third and two more in the fourth.
The Eagles scored two in the fifth and one in the seventh, but still would be well-short of a comeback attempt.
Once again, the Salthawks pitching staff excelled. Lakin Franz would earn the win on the mound going six strong innings, striking out five and not issuing a walk. Bently Eckhoff recorded the final two outs in the first game and the final three outs in the second to cap off his senior night performance.
Hutchinson had a season high in runs scored (9) and hits (12) in the second game, while striking out a season-low four times.
Franz led the offensive charge in the second game with a 3-for-4 performance and an RBI. Jack Yoder, Cole Bleything and Landon Parks each added a pair of hits, as well.
The Salthawks travel to Derby to close out the road portion of it's regular season schedule on Tuesday. Pregame coverage begins at 3:55 p.m. on Hutch Post.
SOFTBALL SCORES
Game 1: Maize 18, Hutch 0
Game 2: Maize 8, Hutch 1
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