By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Aidan Newbery slapped an extra-inning single through the Seaman infield to drive home Nate Selm with the winning run in a 4-3 Washburn Rural win on a cold and windy Friday night at Rural.
Senior Nate Selm scored the winning run in Washburn Rural's 4-3 eight-inning win over Seaman. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Topeka rivals waited through a rainy and blustery afternoon to get in one of the two scheduled games. When it finally came to an end, the thermometer read 52 degrees, but it felt like 39. Each team committed three errors, bobbled numerous grounders and struggled to corral high fly balls.
“These were definitely tough conditions,” said Washburn Rural coach Jay Mastin, whose Junior Blues improved to 9-2. “You saw a bunch of fly balls just keep drifting. Our second baseman had to run like 40 yards to make a couple of catches in foul territory.
“It was important to get to play at least one game tonight for sure, knowing the rest of our schedule. So, I’m grateful that we got this one in and I’m proud of these guys for the way that they played and battled.”
After Washburn Rural went up 3-0 after two innings, Seaman pitcher Cale Rosenberger settled in and shut the home team’s offense down for five scoreless frames.
The Junior Blues gave up three runs in the top of the fourth to let Seaman tie the score. It remained deadlocked for three innings until Newbery finally broke through.
“I knew it was a big moment. I didn’t let that get in my head,” Newbery said. “I knew the guy on the mound. I kind of knew what he had. So, I didn’t try to overthink it. I just looked for a ball I could square up, to put a ball in play and let Nate do his thing at second. I know he’s fast, he can score.
“I was pumped. I saw coach (Jerry) Cavitte coming over to give me a high five. I heard the fans. It was a great moment.”
Washburn Rural starting pitcher Isaac Ansley worked out of a jam in the first inning, then cruised through the next two before running into trouble in the third. Mastin brought in Tyler Edmiston, who held Seaman to just one base hit over the next 4.1 innings.
“Those guys were dealing with so much and I have to give them props for sticking it out in that weather,” said Newbery, who caught all eight innings for the Junior Blues. “They did their best with what they had. Some pitches weren’t moving as well because the wind was blowing against it. But I’m proud of them for being able to pitch like they did.”
WASHBURN RURAL 4, SEAMAN 3
Seaman (8-7) 000 300 00 -- 3 6 3
Washburn Rural (9-2) 210 000 01 -- 4 6 3
Rosenberger, Hayes (8) and Sextro. Ansley, Edmiston (4) and Newberry. W -- Edmiston. L -- Hayes. 2B -- Seaman: Jessop. 3B -- Washburn Rural: Haas, Nimz.
