HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High’s baseball squad was strong early, late and everywhere in between Friday.
The Cubs, playing their first games in 10 days due to weather, thumped visiting Neodesha High, 13-3 and 11-1.
“It was nice to get back on the field,” Humboldt coach Mike Miller said. “We were a little rusty at times and have some things we need to work on but overall I was pleased with our play. Four pitchers threw on the night and they all threw well. I was really happy with the way our hitters jumped on them offensively in the first inning of both games but I would like to see us stay more aggressive. We kind of let up at times and didn’t have quality at bats.
Nathan Whitcomb got the start in the opener, striking out 10 in four innings of work. He allowed two hits and walked three.
Humboldt, meanwhile, opened with four runs in the bottom of the first. Neodesha scored two in the third to cut Humboldt’s lead in half before the Cubs took full control with three in the third, two in the fourth and four in the fifth.
Every Cub starter registered a hit, run or RBI.
Whitcomb went 2-for-2 at the plate with a double. Jacob Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a double. Grayson Pearish had one hit, a home run. Caleb D’Armond stroked a double, as did Caleb Vanatta. Hunter Murrow and Dustin Prock added singles.
Austin Beeman pitched an inning of relief, giving up two hits and a walk with one strikeout.
A similar pattern followed in the nightcap.
Humboldt led 5-0 after one, 6-0 after two and 8-0 after three. Neodesha scored its only run in the fourth. The Cubs wrapped up their offense with another run in the fourth and two more in the sixth.
Alex Murrow pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up two hits and three walks. Pearish pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings of relief, with one walk and one strikeout.
“It was nice to have Grayson back after a little shoulder soreness,” Miller said.
Carpenter went 3-for-3 with two doubles, three runs and two RBIs. Pearish went 3-for-4. Zach Vanatta came off the bench for a pinch hit double with an RBI.
D’Armond, Whitcomb, Jake Haviland, Alex Murrow and Prock had singles.
Humboldt travels to Eureka Tuesday in a makeup game before hosting Yates Center, Neodesha and Iola Friday in a tournament.
Humboldt pounds Neodesha
