OSAWATOMIE — Humboldt High’s “reward” for its 19-1 regular season — a dazzling turnaround from last year’s 7-13 mark — was to be placed in perhaps the toughest regional baseball tournament in the state, at any level.
And the Cubs played well, valiantly even, on Monday, in steamrolling Osawatomie, 9-0, to open the postseason before falling, 11-6, to Girard in the 3A Regional semifinal.
With the defeat, Humboldt’s dream season ends at 20-2, and two wins shy of a state playoff berth.
“There’s no shame in losing to a team like that,” Humboldt head coach Mike Miller said. “Girard is a good team. I wouldn’t be shocked if they’re heading to state Wednesday, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they’re playing for some hardware at state.”
The Trojans broke open a 6-6 tie without benefit of a hit in the top of the fifth, courtesy of a walk, stolen base and sacrifice fly, before breaking the game open with Alex Coester’s three-run home run in the top of the sixth.
Meanwhile, Girard relievers Trevor Amershek and Wyatt Foley allowed one hit over the final four innings to keep Humboldt at bay.
“We didn’t play bad baseball today,” Miller said. “They were just a little bit better.”
Girard took a quick 2-0 lead on an infield RBI single, a wild pitch and an error, but Humboldt responded quickly. Sam Hull and Kaiden Barnett both reached base and scored on an error and wild pitch, respectively, before the Cubs’ Gavin Page followed with an RBI ground-out to give Humboldt a 3-2 lead.
The Trojans erupted for four in the second to take a 6-3 lead, but the Cubs again responded quickly.
Trey Sommer walked to lead off the bottom of the third and went to third on Gavin Page’s double before scoring on a wild pitch. Evan Lucke’s RBI single drove in Page.
Sommer retired Girard without a run in the top of the fourth, allowing the Cubs to even the score in the bottom of the frame. Hull reached base on a dropped third strike, and he scored on Kaiden Barnett’s RBI double.
Alas, Girard’s relievers shut down any hope of a Humbodlt comeback from there, allowing only Barnett’s sixth-inning single.
Sommer drew the starting pitching nod and allowed nine hits over five innings with four strikeouts.
“They have a great lineup and Trey was able to get out of some tough spots with runners on to avoid any really big innings,” Miller said. “He battled for us and kept us in the game. Our guys kept fighting back every time we got down. We just couldn’t get over the hump late.”
Barnett paced the offense with two hits, including a double. Gavin Page also had a double. Hull and Lucke added singles.
Logan Page came on in relief, allowing four hits with two strikeouts over two innings.
