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Its was another day of excellent state quarterfinal baseball for Shawnee County on Tuesday, May 26.
Washburn Rural and Shawnee Heights both advanced to the state semifinals after impressive victories in Emporia. Here's everything that happened to the Junior Blues and Thunderbirds.
No. 5 Washburn Rural played flawless baseball in the Class 6A State Quarterfinals. The Junior Blues blanked No. 4 Manhattan 9-0 to advance.
After splitting the two-game regular season series, Washburn Rural (20-8) wanted their Centennial League rival in this position.
“We wanted them a lot,” Washburn Rural senior Austin Ditch said. "We just had to play good defense and hit the ball, that's what we did.”
The Junior Blues erupted for six runs in the top of the second inning. Nate Selm highlighted this stretch with a two RBI double to center field. Ditch followed it with a triple that scored two more runs.
With the lead, Washburn Rural was able to lean on their ace Tyler Edmiston.
The right-handed pitcher produced inning after inning of strong play. He allowed three hits and two walks in 5.1 innings of work. Edmiston struck out just one batter showcasing the team's defensive prowess.
“It’s been fun to watch these guys plays defense and go out to make some plays,” Washburn Rural head coach Jay Mastin said. “We want them to be efficient on the mound. Especially with pitch counts these days, it definitely plays into it.”
Edmiston threw just 59 pitches in the quarterfinal. It means that he will be available for the state championship if Washburn Rural were to advance.
Ditch helped Washburn Rural secure three different double plays in the win. He was everywhere at short stop. The speed and reaction time makes Ditch, along with everyone else, such a key part to Washburn Rural's defense.
“We are an athletic exciting team with a lot of energy," Ditch said. “That’s what you need to win a state championship.”
Washburn Rural will face No. 1 Maize (27-2) at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at Wichita State in the state semifinals.
Nothing could slow Brody Cooper down in the Class 5A State Quarterfinals. Thanks to Cooper’s flame-throwing arm, Shawnee Heights defeated Kapaun Mt. Carmel 5-1.
After losing in the state quarterfinals in back-to-back seasons, the Thunderbirds have finally broken through to the semifinals. This is Shawnee Heights first final four appearance since 2018. Shawnee Heights' last state championship came in 2011.
“It was the first thing that I told them,” Shawnee Heights head coach Jason Brown said. “‘Hey boys, monkey is off our back. Now, we can just roll.’”
Cooper threw a complete game allowing just two hits and one earned run. He struck out 11 batters as he dominated the Crusaders. His fast ball was unfeathered and his off-speed kept Kapaun guessing.
“Last two years, we’ve been in that same position, got embarrassed two years ago,” Cooper said. “Last year, we lost it ourselves. I couldn’t let it happen again.”
Cooper was simply flawless.
“This is the one thing, as a coach, you always preach, to have that mindset that you are the best when you step on the field,” Brown said. ‘But, you can’t teach it. You just have kids that have it and he’s one of them that has it.”
With Cooper throwing a gem, the offense needed to put up runs and it obliged.
Gabe Escobar scored the first run off of a Jackson Hayes RBI in the opening inning. Shawnee Heights went ahead 3-0 in the top of the third inning. Camden Olson hit a two-run RBI double to give Shawnee Heights all of the momentum.
Kapaun scored in the bottom of the third inning, but Shawnee Heights responded immediately in its next at-bat. Nowlan Hurla hit a grounder into a fielder’s choice, which scored Corben McCall. Trines Purvis produced the team's final run with a double in the fifth inning to score Cambren Floberg.
With tears rolling down his face, Brown spoke about how much he loves his team following the win.
“Not just for us as a staff, but for the players. We’ve got three or four guys that are seniors that have been playing varsity since freshman year and haven’t been here,” Brown said emotionally. “It just makes me so proud.”
With Cooper throwing over the pitch limit, he will not be available to pitch in the state semifinals or championship game. But, Shawnee Heights is confident in their well-rested pitchers that earned a day off thanks to Cooper’s heroics.
No. 6 Shawnee Heights (20-9) will take on No. 7 St. James Academy (19-10) at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at Wichita State's Eck Stadium.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn Rural, Shawnee Heights baseball shine in KSHSAA state quarterfinals
Continue reading...
Washburn Rural and Shawnee Heights both advanced to the state semifinals after impressive victories in Emporia. Here's everything that happened to the Junior Blues and Thunderbirds.
Washburn Rural blanks Centennial rival Manhattan
No. 5 Washburn Rural played flawless baseball in the Class 6A State Quarterfinals. The Junior Blues blanked No. 4 Manhattan 9-0 to advance.
After splitting the two-game regular season series, Washburn Rural (20-8) wanted their Centennial League rival in this position.
“We wanted them a lot,” Washburn Rural senior Austin Ditch said. "We just had to play good defense and hit the ball, that's what we did.”
The Junior Blues erupted for six runs in the top of the second inning. Nate Selm highlighted this stretch with a two RBI double to center field. Ditch followed it with a triple that scored two more runs.
With the lead, Washburn Rural was able to lean on their ace Tyler Edmiston.
The right-handed pitcher produced inning after inning of strong play. He allowed three hits and two walks in 5.1 innings of work. Edmiston struck out just one batter showcasing the team's defensive prowess.
“It’s been fun to watch these guys plays defense and go out to make some plays,” Washburn Rural head coach Jay Mastin said. “We want them to be efficient on the mound. Especially with pitch counts these days, it definitely plays into it.”
Edmiston threw just 59 pitches in the quarterfinal. It means that he will be available for the state championship if Washburn Rural were to advance.
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Ditch helped Washburn Rural secure three different double plays in the win. He was everywhere at short stop. The speed and reaction time makes Ditch, along with everyone else, such a key part to Washburn Rural's defense.
“We are an athletic exciting team with a lot of energy," Ditch said. “That’s what you need to win a state championship.”
Washburn Rural will face No. 1 Maize (27-2) at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at Wichita State in the state semifinals.
Brody Cooper ruthless in Shawnee Heights quarterfinal victory
Nothing could slow Brody Cooper down in the Class 5A State Quarterfinals. Thanks to Cooper’s flame-throwing arm, Shawnee Heights defeated Kapaun Mt. Carmel 5-1.
After losing in the state quarterfinals in back-to-back seasons, the Thunderbirds have finally broken through to the semifinals. This is Shawnee Heights first final four appearance since 2018. Shawnee Heights' last state championship came in 2011.
“It was the first thing that I told them,” Shawnee Heights head coach Jason Brown said. “‘Hey boys, monkey is off our back. Now, we can just roll.’”
You must be registered for see images attach
Cooper threw a complete game allowing just two hits and one earned run. He struck out 11 batters as he dominated the Crusaders. His fast ball was unfeathered and his off-speed kept Kapaun guessing.
“Last two years, we’ve been in that same position, got embarrassed two years ago,” Cooper said. “Last year, we lost it ourselves. I couldn’t let it happen again.”
Cooper was simply flawless.
“This is the one thing, as a coach, you always preach, to have that mindset that you are the best when you step on the field,” Brown said. ‘But, you can’t teach it. You just have kids that have it and he’s one of them that has it.”
With Cooper throwing a gem, the offense needed to put up runs and it obliged.
You must be registered for see images
Gabe Escobar scored the first run off of a Jackson Hayes RBI in the opening inning. Shawnee Heights went ahead 3-0 in the top of the third inning. Camden Olson hit a two-run RBI double to give Shawnee Heights all of the momentum.
Kapaun scored in the bottom of the third inning, but Shawnee Heights responded immediately in its next at-bat. Nowlan Hurla hit a grounder into a fielder’s choice, which scored Corben McCall. Trines Purvis produced the team's final run with a double in the fifth inning to score Cambren Floberg.
With tears rolling down his face, Brown spoke about how much he loves his team following the win.
You must be registered for see images
“Not just for us as a staff, but for the players. We’ve got three or four guys that are seniors that have been playing varsity since freshman year and haven’t been here,” Brown said emotionally. “It just makes me so proud.”
With Cooper throwing over the pitch limit, he will not be available to pitch in the state semifinals or championship game. But, Shawnee Heights is confident in their well-rested pitchers that earned a day off thanks to Cooper’s heroics.
No. 6 Shawnee Heights (20-9) will take on No. 7 St. James Academy (19-10) at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at Wichita State's Eck Stadium.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn Rural, Shawnee Heights baseball shine in KSHSAA state quarterfinals
Continue reading...
