Same Script, Different Order for Seward Baseball in Split With Dodge

LIBERAL, Kan. – The Seward Saints and Dodge City Conquistadors wrapped up their Jayhawk Conference series Friday afternoon at Brent Gould Field.

The teams split as Seward (21-25, 13-7) won 16-2 in a five-inning run-rule opener, while Dodge City (16-25, 5-15) took the nightcap 7-6.

The split comes after Seward narrowly lost game one after leading midway through and went on to win decisively in game two a day earlier in Dodge City.

Seward will host second-place Hutchinson to open a four-game series Thursday at Brent Gould Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

Game 1: Seward 16, Dodge City 2 (5 inn.)

The Saints posted crooked numbers in all four innings they batted, highlighted by a seven-run third, to cruise to a run-rule win in five innings. Seward finished with 17 hits in four innings as Isai Santaella and Hayden Ramage each tallied three hits, with Ramage driving in four runs. Diego Valero-Munoz went 2 for 2 with three RBIs.

Ashton Creighton (3-2) earned the win, throwing all five innings. He allowed two runs, walked none and struck out two in the sophomore's longest outing of the season.

Dodge City used three pitchers, while Ben Longoria drove in both runs.

Game 2: Dodge City 7, Seward 6 (9 inn.)

For the second time in the series, Seward squandered a multi-run lead, falling 7-6 after leading 5-1 in the fifth inning.

Khale Leblanc launched a three-run home run in the second inning to give Seward a 4-1 lead, and Hayden Ramage added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 5-1.

Dodge City responded with six unanswered runs, scoring three in the sixth and three in the seventh to take a 7-5 lead.

Seward plated a run in the bottom of the ninth on an infield hit by Diego Valero-Munoz to cut the deficit to one, but Cooper Turner fouled out in the next at-bat to end the game.

Beau Lang turned in a strong five-inning outing, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Cross Durham allowed three runs without recording an out, while Cooper Turner threw the final four innings, allowing three runs (one earned) with three strikeouts to keep Seward within striking distance.

The Saints recorded just two hits over the final four innings.

Dariel Luna earned a three-inning save for the Conquistadors, allowing one run, while Bynum Martinez drove in four runs.