By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural baseball followed up a strong weekend in Kansas City with a home Centennial League doubleheader sweep of Topeka High Tuesday to improve its record to 5-0.
Senior Gavin Payne threw a three-hit shutout Tuesday in Washburn Rural's 14-0 first-game win over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues got a five-inning shutout from senior Gavin Payne in the opening contest, then rolled out three pitchers who one-hit the Trojans in the nightcap as Washburn Rural collected wins of 14-0 and 12-0, both of which lasted five innings.
Last Saturday Washburn Rural defeated Kansas City, Mo.-Rockhurst 8-1 and Olathe South 3-0. Junior Blues coach Jay Mastin complimented his team’s performance in those contests.
Mastin said Payne’s work against Topeka High was so good, the coach had to tweak his game plan.
“He did a great job. He did everything we asked from him today,” Mastin said of Payne. “Our plan was to throw two or three guys (in the first) game, but he was pretty efficient in his innings, so we just stuck with him.”
Payne permitted Topeka High a single in each of his first three innings. He was the beneficiary of inning-ending double plays in the fourth and fifth innings. His final line included three hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
“I was just working my pitches, working the zone,” Payne said. “I’ve got a great defense behind me, so I just throw strikes and they’ll back me up.”
Washburn Rural senior Drew Moore slides safely into base in Tuesday's double-header sweep over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
After a scoreless first inning to start the day, the Junior Blues put up four, four and six runs in their next three innings. Austin Ditch provided a bases-loaded double that plated three in the second. Drew Moore led off the third inning with a triple. Dominic Nimz collected two hits, including a fourth-inning double.
Payne admitted getting that kind of run support is a lift.
“Everything feels a lot better,” Payne said. “You’ve got more confidence going into each inning. It really helps out there.”
Washburn Rural junior Kyran Smith struck out five batters in two innings in Tuesday's double-header sweep over Topeka High. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
For the second game, Mastin ran out three pitchers, with dominating effect. Isaac Ansley started the game and recorded three strikeouts in two scoreless innings. He gave way to Kyran Smith, who struck out five in two frames. Cody Stafford slammed the door, striking out all three Trojans he faced in the fifth inning. Following a leadoff single to start the game, the Junior Blues allowed only a walk in the third inning.
“We like the momentum that we’ve got going,” Mastin said. “We couldn’t start the season better than this all the way around. Our pitchers have done a great job. Our defense has been solid, and offense has been putting the pressure on the other team by getting some big hits and being aggressive on the bases.”
Mastin said Washburn Rural was scheduled to face Olathe East and Olathe West Saturday at Emporia State University. Due to a conflict, the location of those games is now up in the air, but they remain on the schedule.
GAME ONE
WASHBURN RURAL 14, TOPEKA HIGH 0
Topeka High 000 00 -- 0 3 1
Washburn Rural 044 6x -- 14 6 0
Payne and Newberry, Keller (5). Stamper, Accosta (3), Haubold (4), Tyrell (4) and Gonzales, Roman-Chavez (4). W -- Payne. L -- Stamper. 2B -- Washburn Rural: Ditch, Nimz. 3B -- Washburn Rural: Moore.
GAME TWO
WASHBURN RURAL 12, TOPEKA HIGH 0
Topeka High (2-2) 000 00 -- 0 1 3
Washburn Rural (5-0) 372 0x -- 12 8 1
Ansley, Smith (3), Stafford (5) and Newberry, Robertson (3). Toland, Tyrell (1), Guest (2), Heald (4) and Gonzales, Roman-Chavez (3). W -- Smith. L -- Toland.
