North Platte’s first loss of the season came in the KCI Conference opener last week.
After a 2-0 start, the Panthers lost 17-5 against East Buchanan on Thursday, March 23 in Dearborn, Mo. The Bulldogs scored big in the first two innings against starting pitcher Jacob Stubbs and finished off the run-rule victory late against Jacob Oliver.
North Platte also scored in each of the first two innings but trailed 8-4.
Remington Wilson had one hit and drove in three runs, while Trevor Lamar had a double among his two hits and scored once for North Platte, which entered at 2-0. East Buchanan starter Seth Kenagy struck out 11 and earned the win after the Bulldogs scored seven more in the fifth to take a 17-4 lead.
Stubbs had an RBI single in the fifth for North Platte’s final win.
North Platte 17, North Andrew 3, 6 innings
The Panthers opened their season with a second straight win behind 10 hits Tuesday, March 21 in Rosendale, Mo.
Hunter Oliver went 3-four-4 with a walk from his leadoff spot, scored four runs and drove in three more. North Platte put up a barrage of runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to pull away, and North Andrew committed eight costly errors.
Wilson and Garrett Lamar drove in two runs apiece, while Halen Knapp and courtesy runner Blake Gibson scored three apiece for North Platte, which was scheduled to host a triangular tournament Saturday, March 25 that ended up canceled due to inclement weather. Austin Snook, Knapp and Jacob Oliver all pitched for the Panthers, combining to strike out 13 and allow just one hit.
Lawson 15, West Platte 5, 5 innings
The Bluejays’ bid to extend the KCI opener came up just short Thursday, March 23 in Lawson, Mo.
After Kyle Tabaka and Jack Summers reached after being hit by pitches, West Platte senior Grant Eagen singled in a run in the top of the fifth, and Alec Carson followed with a single to load the bases. The Bluejays ended up scoring three more runs on an RBI groundout for Jasper Basel and two passed balls.
Lawson held its 15-5 lead for the run-rule win with a strikeout to end the game.
West Platte sent Noah Johnson out for the start and he lasted just one-plus innings, charged with eight runs — seven earned with eight walks. Wyatt Kleman pitched the final three innings, giving up seven more runs with six walks.
Lawson led 13-0 after two innings and 15-1 after four. Carson scored West Platte’s first run in the top of the fourth after a leadoff walk.