It was the first league matchups of the year for some Northeast Kansas League legion baseball teams on Sunday as a couple of teams have arleady played a few non-league games already.

Both Sabetha and Hiawatha worked themselves to a 2-0 day with sweeps in the double header on Sunday versus Royal Valley and Holton respectively. The Seneca at Doniphan County double header was rescheduled for July 27th and will only be one game that night at 7:00pm. While, Atchison split a double header with Frankfort in non-league games. Frankfort blanked Atchison to take game one 6-0 and Atchison responded with a 10-6 win in game two. (Frankfort previously in the Northeast Kansas League will not be in the league this year, after not being able to play full league schedule).

Sabetha Uses Two 10 Run Games to Top Royal Valley

In the first league matchups of the year it was Sabetha getting the best of Royal Valley in a double header were the offense for Sabetha produced 10 runs in both games to win 10-0 and 10-1.

While the runs were scored by Sabetha in both games it was perhaps pitching that was the story of the day in both games. In game one it Brendon Garrett leading Sabetha on the mound as he pitched a four-inning no-hitter gem, striking out seven in the process. The offense backed up Garrett in the matchup as Sabetha struck early with Nolan Keim having a bases clearing three-run double in the first. In the top of the fourth Keegan Schuman added a three-run double of his own to help pad the lead, as Sabetha cruised to the 10-0 win.

Game two despite the final score of 10-1, started out as a pitching dual with Sabetha's, Graham Howard and Royal Valley's, Noah Hart matching each other on the mound. Until the fifth inning when Schuman continued his great day with another extra base hit this time a solo homer to lead off the inning. Sabetha went on to plate five in the inning behind a pair of hits, pair of walks and pair of hit batters. Four more runs were added in the sixth by Sabetha to pad the lead with Graham Droge notching a two-run double in the inning and going 3-3 with three RBI's in the game.

With the wins Sabetha improves to 4-1 on the season and will take on Wymore on Tuesday at 8:00pm, following the Junior legion game. Royal Valley falls to 0-2 to start their season and will hit the field next at Holton on Wednesday in a double header, 6:00 and 8:00pm.

Hiawatha Out Hits Holton to a Sweep in the Double Header to Open Season

It was the first time on the field for both Holton and Hiawatha this season for legion baseball and it was the offense of Hiawatha that highlighted the double header on Sunday, leading to Hiawatha 12-4 and 16-8 wins.

In game one Hiawatha took to the scoring early plating four runs in the first and doing so again in the fourth, while scoring all five innings to end the game 12-4 after five. Three Hiawatha players registered multi-hit games while the team out-hit Holton 12-5 in the contest. Ryker Smith lead the way offensively going 3-3 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Dakota Bayles and Taylor Jacobsen each had a mult-hit game. Dalton Lehmkuhl pitched all five innings for Hiawatha to earn the win, striking out six, while giving up five hits.

For Holton five guys registered hits, with Colton Oliverus providing the only extra base hit a double in the loss, while Holton had to use four pitchers in the contest.

Game two the offense came out for both teams, just Hiawatha bats provided more punch in the conest to grab the 16-8 win and the sweep. Hiawatha again out-hit Holton this time it was only 13-8 but Ryker Smith continued with his hot bat going 4-4 with six RBI and a run scored. Brendan Steele and Dakota Bayles each had a mult-hit game, also.

Neither, team was able to get into a pitching groove using four pitchers apiece in the contest with Parker Hasenkamp earning the win for Hiawatha.

Offensively for Holton it was Brandon Schuman leading the way with a 2-4 game with an RBI and run scored.

Hiawatha with the sweep starts the season 2-0 and next takes on Seneca in a double header on Wednesday at Seneca with games at 6:00 and 8:00pm. The game will be the first of the season for Seneca who has yet to play this year. The 6:00pm game will be featured on 103.9 KNZA & 92.1 KMZA radio Wednesday night. Holton with the two losses starts the season 0-2 and next hosts Royal Valley on Wednesday in a double header at 6:00 and 8:00pm.