HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Salthawks baseball team needed at least one win on Thursday to advance into next week's regional, and that came true at Hobart-Detter Field. Hutchinson won game one over Salina Central, 11-10, before falling in the second game, 17-2.
There was plenty of drama in game one, as the Salthawks fell behind 8-1 going into the bottom of the fourth inning. Hutchinson (4-16) scored one in the fourth and five more in the fifth to pull within 8-7. The Mustangs scored two in the sixth to extend its lead to three, 10-7.
Hutchinson scored one run on an RBI single to centerfield by Landon Parks to pull within 10-8. Jack Davis followed the single up by being hit by the pitch, then a pop up by Jax Heneha made it two on and two outs. Carter Morgan then was hit by the pitch and loaded the bases up for Caiden Beavers. Beavers drew the count full and then on the 3-2 pitch, Beavers tripled to deep left-center to clear the bases, and giving the Salthawks the 11-10 walk-off victory.
Cole Bleything earned the win on the mound, going three innings, giving up two unearned runs and striking out two. He would also record a team-high two hits in the win, while driving in one. Beavers' lone hit was the game-winner and recorded a team-high three RBI.
The Salthawks never had a chance in the second game, falling behind quickly 6-0 after the first inning and then 10-0 after two complete. Hutchinson scored two in the fourth to extend the game into the fifth after Salina Central (5-13) scored five in the top of the inning, but Central responded with two more in the fifth.
Hutchinson was outhit in the loss, 13-4, while Salthawk hitters struck out eight times.
The Salthawks will be the No. 16 seed in the 5A west and will travel to Wichita next week to face Bishop Carroll (19-1). The game time and location will be finalized on Saturday and will be published on the KSHSAA site.
GAME 1
Salina Central - 012 502 0 - 10 11 1
Hutchinson - 001 150 4 - 11 8 2
W: Bleything. L: Kvasnicka. Time: 2:29.
GAME 2
Salina Central - 640 52x x - 17 13 3
Hutchinson - 000 20x x - 2 4 3
W: Gross. L: Heneha. HR: Richardson (S. Central). Time: 1:44.
SOFTBALL SCORES
Game 1: Hutchinson 24, Salina Central 14
Game 2: Hutchinson 12, Salina Central 4
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