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Down 6-1 heading to the bottom of the eight, the Atchison A’s needed a rally or their season was in the books. In order to have a shot, Atchison had to knock Diamond Jaxx pitcher Garret McCall out of the game.
The A’s met the challenge and officially booted McCall to the dugout, but the comeback fell short as Atchison’s season is done after a 6-4 loss to Diamond Jaxx in the AAA Zone Tournament in Leavenworth, Kan.
The first run didn’t cross the plate until the third inning when Diamond Jaxx scored a pair of runs. Shortstop James Gladieux scored after third baseman Logan McKinny struck out swinging. The ball wasn’t fielded cleanly behind home plate and the throw to first was in time, but the following toss to home was late. Leftfielder Nate Amos then blasted a double to the outfield and McCall drove him in with an RBI double, giving Diamond Jaxx a 2-0 lead.
Atchison finally added a run in the fourth inning. Pitcher Mark McDermed singled and came around and scored off a balk by McCall.
The next four runs were posted by Diamond Jaxx. Second baseman Andrew Magana recorded an RBI single in the fifth. The sixth was an interesting inning as first baseman Abe Ruffcorn struck out, but the ball passed catcher Jake Schmidt and reached safely. Ruffcorn then came around a scored. Two more runs were plated in the 8th and Diamond Jaxx was in prime position to bring home the victory.
The A’s wouldn’t give up though. First baseman Lane Fry started the bottom of the eighth reaching safely on an error by the third baseman. McDermed then doubles to give Atchison two base runners with one out. Schmidt drives the first pitch to deep outfield and even though the out was recorded, Fry slid home to cut the deficit to four.
Hunter Olberding posted an RBI single to bring McDermed home and that was the final batter McCall faced. Atchison knocked the ace out of the game, but now had to face a solid reliever in Jose Cardenas.
Leftfielder Derek Belveal walked and rightfielder Logan Blakly brought Olberding home and the comeback was in reach for the A’s, trailing 6-4. Cardenas then shut the door, retiring four straight to end the game.
Jarret McCall pitched seven and two-thirds innings, allowing six hits, four runs, walking three and striking out 11. James Gladieux was 3-5 with a run scored and Judson Cole went 1-3 with two RBI.
Mark McDermed tossed seven solid innings, recording three strikeouts, three walks and allowing nine hits and five runs. McDermed was excellent offensively, going 2-4 with two runs. Logan Blakley finished 2-4 with an RBI and Hunter Olberding was 1-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
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