Five-Run Fifth Sends Garden City Past Pratt
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
|
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0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | X | 12 | 12 | 2 |
Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics
Garden City, KS – Garden City Community College jumped out early and never looked back, powering past Pratt Community College 12-6 to close out the series in Game 3 of a conference set Saturday.
The Broncbusters used a balanced offensive attack and a pair of big middle innings to build separation, finishing with 12 runs on 12 hits while capitalizing on Pratt miscues throughout the afternoon.
Garden City struck first in the second inning, taking advantage of an error before Mason Tafoya delivered the biggest swing of the frame with a three-run double to give the Broncbusters a 3-0 lead.
Pratt responded in the third with a five-run inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Gunner Hewitt, briefly putting the Beavers in front, 5-3.
The Broncbusters answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Karson Evans doubled to spark the rally before Sean Philpotts and Will Togher each drove in runs to tie the game at 5-5.
Garden City took control for good in the fifth inning, erupting for five runs on six hits. Philpotts delivered an RBI double, Will Togher reached on an error that plated another run, and Cael Hamrick added an RBI single. The Broncbusters capped the inning with additional run production to stretch the lead to 10-5.
The offense added two more insurance runs in the sixth, taking advantage of passed balls and aggressive baserunning to extend the margin to 12-6.
On the mound, Garden City settled in after the third inning, limiting Pratt to just one run over the final four frames to secure the win.
Offensively, the Broncbusters were led by Philpotts and Will Togher, who each collected multiple hits, while Tafoya finished with three RBI. Evans added two doubles and scored multiple runs, pacing a lineup that produced 12 hits in the victory.
Key Moment
Garden City's five-run fifth inning flipped momentum and gave the Broncbusters a lead they would not relinquish.
Key Stat
Garden City scored 10 of its 12 runs across the second, third, and fifth innings, consistently answering Pratt's early surge.