By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
The Junior Blues outscored Topeka West 34-0 in a Centennial League doubleheader Wednesday night at Hummer Sports Park and the dominant outing was exactly what Washburn Rural was looking for after taking a pair of losses in Lawrence.
The Junior Blues collected 17 runs in game one and 17 runs in game two within a six-inning span.
“It was good for us to come out early and attack,” Washburn Rural coach Jay Mastin said. “I thought we swung the bats well today. Our pitching did a great job for us keeping (West) scoreless. It was a good day for us.”
Washburn Rural coach Jay Mastin talks to his team after Wednesday's 17-0, 17-0 Centennial League doubleheader sweep over Topeka West. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
Washburn Rural’s most explosive offensive outing of the year didn’t happen by accident.
The Junior Blues' plate approach was stellar and Rural swung at high-quality pitches more than bad pitches. While they did score a combined 34 runs, the 21 hits stand out in the box score and shows the Junior Blues were calm in the batter’s box.
One of the stars of Wednesday’s doubleheader was the first baseman, Ty Weber. Weber went 4 for 6 with six runs batted in.
Weber demolished a baseball for a three-run home run in his first at-bat.
Weber also got on base with a pair of walks along with a double and a couple of singles.
“I thought I had a pretty good approach at the plate today,” Weber said. “As a team, we did great at the plate and were patient. I’m really proud of the guys and the way they handled their business today. I think we are playing the game fun, fast and giving every single game we play our all.”
Barton Community College signee Robby Bolin had a terrific day at the plate as well.
Bolin went 5 for 6 with four RBI. Bolin was almost automatically on base every single time he stepped up to the plate.
Guys like Kyle Walker, Brock Howard and Keaton Catlin also had big days for Washburn Rural.
While Washburn Rural threw out a combined four pitchers in the doubleheader, Kaleb Wellshear and freshman Max Bettis had terrific starts for the Junior Blues. Both of the starters didn’t allow a single run and gave up one hit each.
In two innings of work, Wellshear struck out six batters, walking two and giving up one hit to the leadoff batter. Bettis struck out five, walked one and allowed one hit.
“I think we will have some momentum from today’s doubleheader,” Mastin said. “It will be important for us to play as well as we did today into this weekend. We have two tough opponents coming up.”
Washburn Rural will host Seaman in a doubleheader on Friday and will resume a postponed game against Hays on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
“I think we learned a lot about ourselves as a team today,” Weber said. “We are looking forward to the challenge against Seaman on Friday.”
First game
WASHBURN RURAL 17, TOPEKA WEST 0
Washburn Rural 692 – 17 9 0
Topeka West 000 – 0 1 4
W – Wellshear. L – Putthoff. 3B -- Washburn Rural: Walker. HR -- Washburn Rural: Weber, Catlin.
Second game
WASHBURN RURAL 17, TOPEKA WEST 0
Washburn Rural 494 – 17 12 0
Topeka West 000 – 0 1 2
W – M. Bettis. L – Alexander. 2B -- Washburn Rural: Weber. 3B -- Washburn Rural: Bolin.
