
Kearsley's walk-off seals series sweep over Barton
By Mike Pilosof
Photo by Adam Shrimplin
Garden City, KS-Lacey Kearsley was anxious to atone for her game-one struggles.
The sophomore delivered two hits including a walk-off single in the ninth, and Garden City edged Barton, 11-10 in game two Thursday afternoon at Tangeman Sports Complex. The Broncbusters completed their third series sweep of the season, improving to 13-19 overall and 7-9 in conference.
This one though was a little too close for comfort for Head Coach, Amy Schmeckpeper.
Kearsley's RBI double in the bottom of the first gave the Broncbusters the early lead. But Alexis Garcia gave it right back in the third surrendering a home run to Halie Stoneking and a two-run triple to Kennedee Lara. She gave up another run in the fourth on Kayden Smith's sacrifice fly.
Garden City got right back in it during their half of the fourth, scoring three including Ryanna Johnson's dramatic inside-the-park home run that gave the Broncbusters a 5-4 lead.
After the Cougars responded with two more runs in the top of the fifth, Elycia Johnson singled home two in the bottom half to put Garden City back on top. An inning later, Savanna Griebling cranked a two-run double to right to make it 9-6.
But that lead didn't stick. Barton forced extras with a three-run seventh; then took the lead in the eighth following Kayden Rodgers' two-out error that allowed Lara to score. But Maestretti answered resoundingly in the bottom of the frame, tattooing a rise ball off Elizabeth Horsch for a game-tying solo blast.
After Barton was shutout in the ninth, the Broncbusters put the game away. Tara Reid singled, (Ryanna) Johnson moved her to second with a bunt, and Rodgers walked before Kearsley hit a line-drive, game-winning single down the right-field line.
Kearsley picked up the win in relief, allowing three runs (none earned) on two hits in 1 2/3. Rodgers finished 5-for-5 at the plate, and (Ryanna) Johnson, and Maestretti each homered.
Horsch took the loss for Barton, yielding two runs on four hits in three innings.
Next up: Garden City at Dodge City-Saturday, April 2-1 and 3 p.m.