PRATT, Kan. – It was a pitching gem in the opener, before the bats woke up in the second game as the Inman High Baseball team began their season on Friday, taking on Pratt Skyline.
Game 1
Inman 2, Skyline 1
“Both starting pitchers threw complete game gems.” said Inman Teutons’ Head Coach Mike Mikulecky. “It was fun to watch both kids working so efficiently.” Kansas Wesleyan commit, Brant Mikulecky went 7-innings for the complete game victory, yielding a solo home run and two infield singles, while striking out nine and giving up just one walk.
“Baserunners were at a premium for both teams and fortunately for us we were able to work some walks and advance a couple guys to 3rd, taking advantage of a passed ball for 1 run and good situational hitting by Rhett Gilkey to score Kellen Schrag on a ground ball fielders choice.”
Game 2
Inman 12, Skyline 11
Caleb Bigler gave the Teutons a solid start in Game 2, going 3.2 innings, allowing four earned runs, but like Brant Mikulecky in game one, he struck out nine, while walking just one. “He got hurt a little with some infield hits and tough luck, but otherwise was very strong.” said Coach Mikulecky. Jesse Ballard would pitch three solid innings in relief to earn the win, yielding two runs, with eight strikeouts.
Inman took a 5-2 lead after the first two innings, but Skyline put up a seven-runs fourth inning, and eventually took an 11-9 lead into the top of the 7th. “Our guys came up big with three runs in our last at-bat to take back the lead.” said Mikulecky, and in the bottom of the seventh Ballard would strike out the side to complete the sweep, winning Game 2, 12-11.
“In the second game, I was proud of how our kids handled adversity after giving up a big 7-run inning.” noted Coach Mikulecky, “Our dugout was up and energetic for 14-innings, and that was a factor in why we were able to win a couple tight ball games I believe.” Mikulecky concluded by saying, “We faced two very good frontline pitchers (Brayden Berens and Justus Novotony) and found a way to make things happen at the plate and on the basepaths.”
At the plate Ballard went 2 for 4 with an RBI, Zaden Johnson was 2 for 3, crossing home three times; Brody Froese 1 for 4 with a big RBI single which brought in two. Sammy Shober was 2 for 4, 2R, and an RBI, while Brant Mikulecky and Caleb Bigler combined to reach base 9 of 10 plate appearances.
The Teutons will return to action Friday, when they travel to Moundridge. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
