West Platte rebounds at weekend tourney

Citizen Staff Report

After playing just two games in 10 days, the West Platte baseball team played five games in four days last week. And the Jays responded to a bit of adversity by winning the three-team Barstow Tournament in south Kansas City on April 21, raising their record to 9-3 heading into play this week.

“We have won both tournaments we have played this season, so hopefully we have one more in us come district time,” West Platte coach Ryan Ramey said.

West Platte blanked host Barstow 6-0 in the first game behind a complete-game effort from freshman lefthander Tanner Lintner, who allowed just three hits in seven innings.

West Platte, which took control of the game with a four-run first inning, got two hits apiece from Matt Heili, Clay Lambrecht, Dylan Guthrie and Colby Clemens, who also drove in two runs.

“We had a great outing by Tanner Lintner in his first varsity start and our defense was solid behind him,” Ramey said.

West Platte broke open a close second game in the tournament with a six-run fifth inning to beat St. Mary’s 12-2. Todd Brown had five hits and five RBI in the game, while Guthrie drove in two runs. Liam Wilson got the win on the hill with six hits allowed and six strikeouts over six innings.

PLATTE COUNTY

Platte County had a rough week competing in the Northland Tournament.

On April 16, the Pirates lost 7-3 to Winnetonka, which took control of the game with five runs in the fifth inning. Ryan Murie had a double and home run for Platte County. On April 17, the Pirates lost 9-5 to Park Hill, who scored twice to tie the game in the seventh and four times in the 10th inning. Evan McDonald and Topher Kilkenny each had two hits, while Luke Temperelli pitched five-plus strong innings for the Pirates. Platte County lost 12-2 to Park Hill South on April 18. The Panthers scored six times in the second and six times in the fifth. Jacob Cogdill and McDonald drove in the Pirates’ runs. On April 20, Platte County lost 8-0 at Smithville. The Pirates, who dropped to 1-15, mustered just three hits.

PARK HILL

PARK HILL moved to 10-4 on the year last week after splitting four games in the Northland Tournament. They opened the week with a close 2-1 loss to Fort Osage. Logan Sloniker gave up two earned runs, but struck out eight batters in five innings.

Park Hill bounced with a 9-5 win over Platte County in extra innings after Zach Anderson's three run homer opened up the Trojans margin in the tenth inning. Park Hill went on to defeat Liberty North the next day 2-0. Dalton Moats pitched a complete game, striking out an impressive 15 batters and only allowing three hits. The Trojans closed out the week with a 10-2 loss to Staley.

PARK HILL SOUTH

PARK HILL SOUTH got some much needed victories in the Northland Tournament last week after suffering two losses to Liberty North and Staley. They beat Platte County 12-2 and Kearney 4-0 after solid pitching performances from Ryan Cockriel, who struck out six against Platte County, and Corey Land, who struck out eight against Kearney. Coach Josh Walker says their offense has come along and added to their quality pitching of late.

“We are finally taking good at bats and getting great starting pitching," Walker said.

NORTH PLATTE

North Platte’s defensive woes continued as the Panthers dropped to 2-11 with three losses last week.

On April 16, the Panthers gave up five runs in the first inning and lost 16-1 to Riverside. Wyatt Mullendore scored the only North Platte run on a single by Zach Emmendorfer. North Platte had three costly errors in the field; losing pitcher was Dominic Hill. North Platte lost both games of a doubleheader at East Buchanan later in the week. The first game was a slugfest, with East Buch winning 20-11. North Platte, which held an 8-1 lead after two innings, had 15 hits in the game, including three by Cody Lee and two apiece by Emmendorfer, Seth Jones, John White, Nathan Hale and Hill. North Platte had seven errors on defense.

East Buch won the second game 16-5. North Platte racked up 11 hits, including three singles by Mullendore and a triple from Jones.