Sterling, KAN. - After the Panthers lost the first game of the series 25-14 York came back and swept the Warriors on day two 13-3 and 4-3. The first game of the three-game series ran into the second day after the teams' ran out of daylight on Friday afternoon. In a game that had over 40 walks the Warriors finished off the Panthers before Saturday's doubleheader could take place.
The Panthers were ready to put game one behind them as they cruised to a 13-3 win in game two of the series.
The Panthers were the home team in the series even though they had to play on the road. York was scheduled to be the home team, but due to field conditions and weather, the games were moved south. The Panthers still had the luxury of being the home team and bat last in both contests. That ended up being a positive thing in both games.
York vs. Sterling W 13-3 (8 innings)
York jumped ahead quickly scoring five runs in the first inning thanks to a two-RBI single by Jesus Licon and then a three-run home run by Daniel Polo. The Warriors scored a run in the top of the fourth before the Panthers scored another four runs in the sixth inning. York made Sterling pay for their two-out error in the sixth inning. Licon once again was clutch with a two-out two-RBI single and Polo followed behind him scoring Tony Riley and Jesus Licon thanks to another Warriors' error.
Sterling scored two more runs in the seventh but the Panthers answered back in the eighth with four more runs. Daniel Polo started things off scoring Nicholas Demonte on a bases-loaded single. Charlie Konstantino knocked in Riley before Ian Heck scored Licon. Austin Eisenmenger was called in to pinch it with the bases loaded and ended the ball game with an RBI single to left field.
Treyton Scully picked up the win as he went six innings. He struck out five batters while allowing just three runs.
York vs. Sterling W 4-3
Daniel Tomkiewicz shut down the Warriors over six scoreless innings. He struck out 11 batters and didn't allow a single hit before he was pulled due to a high pitch count. With the no-hitter intact Ian Heck was called into relief. Heck looked to be in good shape as he forced two routine grounders, however, the Panthers' defense struggled in the seventh and allowed two errors on the first two batters. The Warriors used those to their advantage and took a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Luke Juarez kept the Panthers alive hitting a leadoff double down the left-field line. Freddy Tlatenchi grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Juarez to move 90 feet further. An infield single by Tony Riley put runners on the corners with just one out. Jesus Licon then caught the Warriors off guard as he laid a bunt down the first-base line. That single scored the tying run and put the go-ahead run in scoring position. The Warriors walked Daniel Polo to load the bases and Charlie Konstantino hit a ball to center field. A ball that looked like it was going to be caught ended up hitting off of the glove of the center-fielder and dropping to the ground. Riley was across home plate before the Warriors knew what happened and the Panthers were storming the field.
With the Saturday sweep of Sterling, the Panthers move to 2-1 in KCAC play and will travel to the University of St. Mary this coming weekend. The schedule is fluid as winter weather is moving into the region later this week.
