Jay Daubenberger
Liberal, Kansas – Seward County baseball struggled to find their way to home plate on Saturday as they continued their four-game series against the Kirkwood Eagles where the Saints fell in both game on day two, 5-2 in game one and 4-1 in game two to be swept in the series and fall to an even 4-4 record in the 2024 season.
KJCCC West Player of the Week Trenton Rowan was the only Saint in game one who was able to help create some momentum for Seward County as he doubled on a line drive to center field to allow Cameron Cartwright and Nathan Hopkins to make their way around the bases for two runs and go up 2-0 after the first inning. Their lead did not last long as the Saints gave up three runs in the top of the second and despite holding them scoreless through most of the contest, another two runs late in the game sealed a 5-2 loss for SCCC.
Game two saw the Eagles push in front midway through the game as they homered on a fly ball out to right field to move ahead 2-0 while Seward County couldn’t create the hits they needed to match Kirkwood. A couple more runs driven in by the Eagles to start the seventh inning made the score 4-0 and although Rowan was able to drive Cartwright in with another double to center field, the Saints fell again to the Eagles as Kirkwood grabbed a 4-1 win to complete the sweep over Seward County.
The Saints now fall to an even .500 record early into the 2024 season as they sit at 4-4 overall. They will now head to Odessa, Texas to take on the Odessa Wranglers in a double header next Friday before taking on Midland in another doubleheader on Saturday.