Saints Baseball scores 50 runs at Garden City to extend win streak to 6

LIBERAL, Kan. – The Saints baseball program posted a season high 26 runs in game one at Garden City on March 30, 2023, only to top that scoring mark a few hours later in game two with 30 runs scored. The Saints combined for 56 runs on the day while only giving up 11 with excellent starting pitching from Brian Luna Alvarez in game one and Brady Ritzmann in game two.  The Saints had 6 players record 5 or more RBIs on the day with Connor Cox (9), Tristan Curless (8) and Elijah Bear (8) leading the pack.

Game one at Garden City saw the Saints jump all over Broncbuster pitching with 3 first inning homeruns to grow a 7-run lead which helped cushion starting pitcher Brian Luna Alvarez before he stepped on the bump. The Saints scored in every inning and posted 4 or more runs in all but the 3^rd inning. The saints used this offensive momentum and a complete game pitching effort to cruise to a game one 26-6 victory over the Broncbusters. During this matchup Jaxson Gregg was hit-by-pitch twice and now holds the Seward County all-time record for HBPs at 26.

Game two was like the previous in that the Saints were able to plate a run in every inning. The Saints got off to a slower start in the first and the game was all knotted up after the first inning, but from the second inning on the Saints were able to light up the score board. Pitcher Brady Ritzmann got the start on the mound for the Saints and he threw 4 innings before the bullpen stepped in to close things out. Elias Herrera took over in the 5^th and with the help of Ryuga Matsumura in the 7^th inning they combined for 3 innings of pitching only allowing one run while striking out 5 and walking none. The Saints offense once again stepped up scoring 4 or more runs in four of the seven innings to cap off a massive day at the plate beating Garden City 30-5 in game two. 30 runs scored is now a new single-game record for the Seward County baseball program.

These two wins at Garden City mark the 5^th and 6^th win of a 6-game winning streak for the Saints baseball program with five of the wins coming in the KJCCC. Starting with game two at Hutchinson CC on March 23, 2023, the Saints have outscored their opponents 107 – 35. During this scoring spree the Saints were able to win three in a row against Hutchinson taking the season series, they defeated Lamar CC of Colorado and now have won the first two of the series against Garden City.

During the 6-game win streak only one of the games was decided by less than 6 runs as the Saints accompanied dominant hitting with excellent pitching and tremendous defense. The pitching staff has worked 42 innings while only walking 13 batters and striking out 30. And, when the ball has been put into play the Saints defense has stepped up with a .982 fielding percentage over the streak only allowing three errors in the 6 games combined.

The Saints will play host to Garden City this Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 1PM & 3PM as they look to continue their hot play. The Saints will enter the matchup at 18-18 with an 8-6 record in conference with Garden City coming to Liberal at 6-25 overall and 4-11 in the KJCCC.

During win streak:

Jaxson Gregg: .473 (9-19), 8 BB, 14 runs scored

Mason Hagel-Pitt: .444 (12-27), 10 RBI, 10 runs scored

Ranse Radtke: .500 (13-26) 16 runs scored

Elijah Bear: .500 (13-26) 5 HR, 19 RBI and has homered in last 4 games

Trenton Rowan - .480 (12-25) 9 runs scored

Tristan Curless - .545 (12-22) 14 RBI, 10 runs scored

Elias Herrera – 5.0 innings, 1-0, 1 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 2 BB

Brady Ritzmann – 6.0 innings, 1-0, 10 H, 4 ER, 4 K, 0 BB

Brian Luna Alvarez – 5.0 innings, 1-0, 6 H, 6 ER, 8 K, 5 BB