HHS Rolls in Opener
With a big lead, Matt Malott's job was to throw strikes and get the Indians back in the dugout, where they could add on more runs.
As George Bush might say: Mission accomplished.
The Hays High School baseball team used a pair of big innings and Malott's good performance on the mound to beat Belle Plaine 15-0 in four innings Thursday night at the HHS field in the 26th annual Western Plains Diamond Classic.
Malott had a no-hitter going against Larned earlier this season, but lost it late. The same thing happened Thursday, with Belle Plaine getting a single with one out in the fourth to break up Malott's no-hit bid.
"Second time this year I've done it," Malott said of losing a no-hitter late.
Malott (2-0), a senior right-hander, struck out five and hit two batters. Junior Jordan Balzer lined a single to right in the fourth for Belle Plaine's only hit. Malott induced a double-play ball from senior Cooper Stewart to end the inning.
"I was hitting the corners with my fastball, my changeup was down, good curveball tonight," Malott said.
Malott gave the Indians just what they needed in the tourney opener -- a good outing with no help from the bullpen.
"He was very good, he was around the plate," Hays High coach Frank Leo said. "He's come a long ways this year, made great strides, great improvement."
The Hays High hitters were just as good, banging out 12 hits. The Indians scored five runs in the second and eight in the third, then ended the game by run rule with two in the fourth.
Senior Sam Rohleder had three hits and three RBIs, senior Austin Klaus had two hits and three RBIs, junior Kelton Rule scored three runs and drove in two. Junior Thomas Rohleder tripled in two runs and finished with three RBIs, and senior Justin Klaus belted an RBI triple. Juniors Jay Sanders and Logan Downing also drove in runs.
Senior starter Justin Jarman took the loss for Belle Paine (7-9).
HHS hitters walked three times with the bases loaded to force in runs, but Indian batters also struck out twice with runners on base.
"We had some strikeouts looking with runners in scoring position," Leo said. "We had some walks, but you still don't want to be satisfied."
The Indians did their damage at the plate without senior first baseman Taylor Pfannenstiel, who is sidelined with an injury. Pfannenstiel, who is hitting .409, hurt his knee in practice Tuesday and was scheduled to have an MRI today.
"He wants to play right now," Leo said. "We'll get the MRI, evaluate."
Junior Ross Karlin played first base Thursday, but didn't hit. Senior Nathan Meier, who is unable to pitch due to an injury, batted for Karlin as the designated hitter, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Classic notes
Salina Central (6-9) won 18-9 over Belle Plaine in the first game of the tournament.The Mustangs belted out 19 hits, with junior Seth Myers hitting a homer and driving in five runs. Freshman Jordan Hanika, the Mustangs' third pitcher, picked up the victory. ... The game between Hays High and Belle Plaine was stopped for 13 minutes in the bottom of third inning by a rain delay. .... Belle Plaine is coached by former HHS first baseman and 2000 graduate Scott Kinderknecht. ... Hays High's probable starters for today's games are Downing (4-0) in the 3:30 p.m. game against Goodland and Rule (2-1) in the 8 p.m. game against Salina Central.