Straight A’s for Dodge City in Showdown for First

Many people in the Jayhawk League consider Dodge City the best offense in the Jayhawk League. But question marks centered around whether the A’s have enough pitching. If Tuesday night is any indication, the A’s hurlers are headed the right direction. Their starter, Paul Smith, went seven innings striking out nine and allowing one earned run and four hits as the A’s slip past the BJ’s 4-2 at Brent Gould Field. The A’s are 1.5 games in front of the BJ’s for first in the Jayhawk League.

Dodge City outhit the BJ’s 11-5.

Liberal got off to a promising start leading 2-0 with ace Chad Nack on the mound. Seward’s Tanner Rainey and Wichita State’s Tyler Baker both doubled to lead off the second to make it 1-0. Dodge City gave the BJ’s a gift in the fourth when an error on a dropped third strike and an error on a dropped fly ball in right made it 2-0.

Dodge City scored three runs on four hits against Chad Nack (3-1) in the sixth. They scored two runs thanks to the hits and the lead run when Liberal missed a ground ball to the second baseman. The A’s added a run on four hits in the seventh.

Nack went 6 and 2/3 allowing three earned runs with three strikeouts and one walk. Tennessee Martin’s Trevor Lundgrin went 2 and 1/3 scoreless out of the bullpen.

Liberal is 21-10 overall and 15-10 in the Jayhawk as the A’s improve to 16-8 in the league. The same two teams meet Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Dodge City’s Cavalier Field and on Talkradio 1270 and kscbnews.net.

Derby beat El Dorado 4-2 Tuesday night.

Dodge City 16-8

Liberal 15-10

Hays 14-10

Derby 13-15

El Dorado 12-17

Haysville 9-19

Tonight: Liberal at Dodge City and Haysville at Derby