Broncos Dealt Home Sweep by TMP-Marian

Game 1: TMP-Marian 11, Russell-Victoria 0
Game 2: TMP-Marian 9, Russell-Victoria 2

The sixth-ranked (Class 3A) Russell-Victoria Broncos Baseball team renewed acquaintances with their long time rivals from TMP-Marian on Friday afternoon at the Shaffer Sports Complex.

The top-ranked Monarchs (Class 2-1A) showed why they are a legitimate state championship contender as their pitching limited the Broncos to four total hits on their way to a doubleheader sweep by scores of 11-0 and 9-2.

TMP-Marian scored in every inning of Game 1 and provided more than enough support for Kentucky commit Ty Schmeidler who held Russell-Victoria to two hits (a single and a double by Max Evans) while striking out 11 batters and issuing no walks.  Schmeidler struck out the side twice as the game ended after five innings as a result of the run rule.

In Game 2, TMP-Marian (18-0) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on the strength of a two-run double by Logan Baalman and a solo home run by Grant Nehls. Starting and winning pitcher Carson Liles retired the first 10 Russell-Victoria batters he faced, but his bid for a perfect game was foiled on a one-out double by Sam Thielen in the bottom of the fourth.  Evans then blasted a long two-run homer to left field to cut the Bronco deficit to 3-2.  However, Russell-Victoria could draw no closer and the Monarchs pulled away with one run in the top of the fifth and five more in the top of the sixth to secure the sweep.

Evans took the loss in Game 1 while Trey Zorn was saddled with the losing decision in the nightcap.

Russell-Victoria (17-3) will look to bounce back when they host Larned for a doubleheader a the Shaffer Sports Complex on Tuesday, May 5.  First pitch for Game 1 is set for 4 p.m.