Tigers take lead in SEK baseball race

Friday, May 3, 2013

Fort Scott High's baseball team posted four wins in two days and took the lead in the Southeast Kansas League baseball race. The Tigers swept Parsons at Lions Field Tuesday and took a pair of make-up games from then-leader Labette County Wednesday.

"Our guys stepped up big time, playing four games in two days -- especially with the second day on the road," Fort Scott head coach Josh Regan said.

Fort Scott has won its last 7 games and is on top of the SEK at 7-1, 11-4 overall. Labette County had won 7 of its last 8 going into Wednesday's twinbill but fell to third place behind Chanute at 5-3, 10-6.

Parsons, meanwhile, has lost 12 straight league games and 18 of its last 19 overall. The Vikings' only win during that run was a season-opening 15-14 verdict over former league opponent Columbus.

Parsons (0-8, 1-13) didn't come into Tuesday's twinbill ready to concede anything, losing the opener just 3-2. But the Tigers controlled the second game in winning 11-1.

Kaleb DeLaTorre scored the winning run of the opener in the bottom of the seventh inning. He doubled to right field with one out and scored when Mason Knopp reached on an error.

DeLaTorre was 3 for 3, scoring twice. Wyatt Reehl was 2 for 3 at the and improved to 1-1 as a pitcher, allowing 7 hits and no walks while striking out 6.

"Game one was just one of those games for us," Regan said. "Wyatt Reehl was outstanding on the bump, and we hit the ball but could not get the clutch hit we needed to break it open."

The second game was stopped after 4 1/2 innings with the Tigers scoring in every one. DeLaTorre, Jacob Durossette and Benjamin Labbe all went 2 for 3.

Jacob Payne (2-0) allowed 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3.

"I was proud of the way we bounced back in game two and took care of business," Regan said, "Jacob never really got comfortable but grinded out a quality start, and we played excellent defense behind him. Ben Labbe flashed some serious leather all day at third base, and Kaleb DeLaTorre really stood out for us at the plate. He hit the ball on the screws just about every single time up."

Fort Scott swept Labette County Wednesday by scores of 9-4 and 6-2. Knopp (2-2) allowed 9 hits but walked only 1 batter and struck out 7.

DeLaTorre went 4 for 4 with a double for the Tigers. Durossette was 3 for 5, Jacob Bradbury went 3 for 4 and Knopp went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles.

Three runs in the top of the first inning propelled the Tigers in game two. They led 4-0 before LCHS scored twice in the bottom of the fifth.

DeLaTorre hit a 2-run home run in the first inning and went 2 for 4. He also had a double. Knopp, Payne and Durossette each had 2 hits.

DeLaTorre is batting .667 in his last 6 games (14 for 21), scoring 10 runs and driving in 9.

Ryan Pickert (4-0) allowed no earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 1.

"Mason and Ryan did what they needed to do: pitched to poor contact and used the gloves behind them," Regan said. "We are playing outstanding team defense right now, and I think that has been the difference of late. We are swinging it pretty well too, but our defense really sets the tone and limits the damage when we get in jams."

The Tigers are scheduled to play a league doubleheader today at Independence, weather permitting.


Tuesday's Games

Game One

Parsons........ 001 010 0 -- 1 7 1

Fort Scott...... 010 010 1 -- 3 10 0

One out when winning run scored.

WP -- Reehl (7-1). LP -- Brown.

HR -- None.

Game Two

Parsons........ 100 00x x -- 1 4 3

Fort Scott...... 332 2xx x -- 11 12 1

WP -- Payne (2-0). LP -- Dickinson.

HR -- None.

Wednesday's Games

Game One

Fort Scott...... 121 200 3 -- 9 16 1

Labette Co..... 101 010 1 -- 4 9 3

WP -- Knopp (2-2). LP -- Weaver.

HR -- None.

Game Two

Fort Scott...... 301 100 1 -- 6 10 3

Labette Co..... 000 020 0 -- 2 7 1

WP -- Pickert (4-0). LP -- Anderson.

HR -- Fort Scott: DeLaTorre (1, 1st inn., 1 on, 2 out).