WICHITA, Kan. — Hillcat baseball (22-3, 10-1 MIAA) extended its win streak to 14 games with a commanding 17-7 (8) run-rule victory over Newman (4-22, 2-14 MIAA) on Friday in the series opener. RSU totaled 17 runs on 12 hits, highlighted by a grand slam from senior
Andrew Ramirez.
The scoring began in the second inning when
Trevor Spainhoward walked and
Zak Nelson followed with another walk.
Luis Fuentes then singled to right field, bringing in Spainhoward. Ramirez (5) delivered a significant blow with a grand slam to right field, extending the lead to 5-2 after the second inning.
In the fourth inning, Ramirez singled, and after a series of walks and a hit-by-pitch,
Nathan Gutierrez singled to right field, scoring two. Spainhoward's double added two more runs, while
Zak Nelson and
Kade Goeke contributed with an RBI single each. The score stood at 11-2 through four innings.
Gutierrez (5) continued to contribute in the fifth inning, hitting a two-run homer to right field to increase the lead to 13-3.
After a quiet sixth, the Jets narrowed the gap slightly in the seventh, capitalizing on errors to score three unearned runs. The score was 13-7 after seven innings.
The Hillcats solidified the win in the eighth inning. Fuentes singled in a run, and Goeke's double drove in two more.
Andres Contreras capped the scoring with an RBI single to notch the 17-7 run-run victory in eight.
Zach Horwith (4-0) delivered a solid performance for the Cats', pitching 5.0 innings, allowing just five hits, and striking out two batters while walking three. He managed to pick off two runners, contributing significantly to maintaining control on the bases.
Cole Abbott pitched 2.0 innings in relief, striking out two batters.
Elijah Knowlton closed out the game with a strong inning, striking out two, showcasing effective control with 12 of his 16 pitches as strikes.
Ramirez delivered a strong performance, recording four RBIs and hitting a home run. Gutierrez contributed significantly with four RBIs and two runs scored, including a home run. Spainhoward added two RBIs with a double and scored three runs. Goeke scored twice and drove in three runs.
RSU and Newman will run it back at McCarthy Field in Wichita tomorrow at 2 p.m.
