Broncbusters polish off sweep of Northeastern

By Mike Pilosof

Photo by Adam Shrimplin

Garden City, KS-No lead was safe in Sunday's series finale with Northeastern.  

After blowing an early five-run cushion, Garden City put together a five-run sixth to earn their fourth straight victory, 20-15 over Northeastern at Tangeman Sports Complex. The Broncbusters improved to 4-2 overall heading into their week-long road trip to Texas.

This one was wild from the start.

Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the first, Kayden Rodgers smashed an RBI single to center. Nya Chacon followed with a run-scoring base hit, Alexis Maestretti drilled a three-run homer to center, and Rodgers added a sacrifice fly to put Garden City ahead 9-4.

But the Plainsmen answered with a seven-run third, which included a towering, two-run homer by Rylyn Nelson that put the visitors in front 11-9.

Garden City responded again in the bottom half with some two-out magic. Alanna Neilsen drove in a run with a single to center, and Rodgers stole home to tie the game. An inning later, Arianna Griego ripped a pinch-hit, RBI double to left-center to put Amy Schmeckpeper's team back in front 12-11. The Broncbusters then added three more in the fifth to make it 15-11.

But again, Garden City couldn't hold it. And with two outs and the bases loaded in the Northeastern sixth, Katey Kelly hit a grand slam to tie it again.

The Broncbusters finally took the lead for good a half inning later. Rodgers doubled home two, and Lacey Kearsley pushed a pair across with a single to shallow left. Maestretti added an RBI double, and Garden City had a 20-15 advantage.

Alexis Garcia picked up the win in the circle, giving up seven earned runs in 4.2 innings. Ryanna Johnson finished 4-for-5 at the plate with five runs scored, and Rodgers had five RBI.