HAYSVILLE AVIATORS 4, BAT CATS 3 — After catcher Elias Leon preserved a 3-2 lead with two assists, the Bat Cats misplayed a pair of ninth-inning bunts to gift wrap Haysville's hard-fought 4-3 Jayhawk Collegiate League victory Thursday.
The Bat Cats led 3-2 after 11/2 innings, but brilliant pitching and defense delivered seven shutout innings.
Bat Cats reliever Tyler Stuhlsatz threw three shutout innings entering the ninth inning. Leon threw out Haysville baserunner Connor Rabe at third base in the eighth inning to preserve the lead. Stuhlsatz struck out two Haysville batters to end the eighth inning.
Haysville's Caleb Anderson singled to start the ninth inning. Julian Hernandez reached on a bunt, and both runners advanced an extra base on an Elias throwing error. Anderson scored when he beat Kyle Walker's throw to home for a 3-3 tie. Easton Norris advanced to third base when first baseman Deacon Pomeroy misplayed a bunt by Gam Jones. Hernandez scored on Rabe's single with no out for the 4-3 victory.
Bat Cat Peanut Brazzle scored on T.J. Shaw's first-inning single. Walker scored on Pomeroy's groundout for a 2-0 lead.
Haysville's Cale Ortner singled home Jones and Rabe for a 2-2 tie before Bat Cats pitcher Cooper Annin threw four shutout innings.
Brazzle's second-inning double scored Carson Umphres, who reached on an error. Hayvsille second baseman Tresten Shigamatsu threw Brazzle out at home on a Leon groundball.
Stuhlsatz recorded three shutout innings, thanks to Elias throwing out Jacob Soha on an attempted steal.
The Bat Cats (8-5, 8-3 Jayhawk) return home Friday against Hayvsille (6-4, 5-4 Jayhawk).
GB Bat Cats 210 000 000 — 3 9 2
Haysville 200 000 002 — 4 12 1
Annin, Stuhlsatz (6) and Leon. Lake, Crosby (6) and Rabe. W—Crosby. L—Stuhlsatz, 0-1. 2B—GB—Brazzle 2; H—Ortner.
JAYHAWK LEAGUE
Hutchinson Monarchs 10-2 11-2
GB Bat Cats 8-3 8-5
Derby Twins 8-4 8-4
Haysville Aviators 5-4 6-4
Junction City Brigade 7-6 8-6
Kansas Cannons 7-7 8-7-1
Wichita Wildcats 5-7 5-7
Kingman Islanders 3-10 3-10
Newton Rebels 2-11 2-12
6-14—Monarchs 9, Bat Cats 5; Brigade 10-7, Aviators 3-6; Kingman 7, Newton 2
6-15—Derby 9, Monarchs 8; Brigade 10, Newton 4
6-16—Bat Cats 7, Cannons 5; Aviators 14, Wildcats 13; Monarchs 8, Kingman 1
6-18—Cannons 10, Newton 6; Monarchs 2, Brigade 1; Wildcats 12, Aviators 8
6-19—Haysville 4, Bat Cats 3; Derby 10, Wildcats 7; Cannons 6, Newton 4
6-20—Aviators at Bat Cats; Wildcats at Derby; Monarchs at Brigade
6-21—Bat Cats at Kingman; Monarchs at Wildcats; Aviators at Cannons; Newton at Derby
6-22—Cannons at Aviators; Derby at Newton
