GRAND ISLAND – A lethargic start for Kearney led to an all-time moment for Kearney at Ryder Park on Sunday afternoon, as the Runza Seniors blasted in four runs in the bottom of the sixth to upset the top seed in the A7 District Tournament with a 4-2 win over Hastings. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney (19-17) earned the win scoring four runs on seven hits with two errors while Hastings Five Points Bank fell, scoring two runs on seven hits with no errors.
Hastings took advantage early, as Landon Hinrichs opened up the contest on the mound for Five Points Bank as he forced three straight three-up and three-down innings to start. The Chiefs opened the scoring in the second after Naz Robinson hit a sac fly, adding a run. Eli Johnson then added a run himself, extended the lead in the top of the third off a single.
Kearney’s bats were light and limited throughout the first five innings, but caught fire in the sixth.
After Kearney gained momentum by forcing quick outs in the fifth and sixth innings, the Runza Seniors began their run back to the lead. Kole Throckmorton singled to get on base and lead up to a smashed two-run home run by Bryce Andersen, tying the game with a thunderous shot over the right field wall. The Runza Seniors were not done yet, as Kegan Brand and Quinn Foster each hit RBI Doubles to take the lead into the seventh.
Derrick Nonhof completed the game on the mound, earning the win after giving up seven hits and two runs over the full seven innings. Nonhof did the feat with no walks, no strikeouts, and hitting one batter.
Runza Seniors v. #1 Hastings // KGFW
Kearney – originally the fourth seed – is now set up in the winner’s bracket to face the winner of the Grand Island Home Federal and North Platte FNBO Nationals matchup. The winner will battle Kearney at 7 PM at Ryder Park on Monday night.
Pregame coverage of Monday’s contest will begin at 6:45 PM with Austin Jacobsen on the call. Hear the Runza Seniors on 1340 KGFW, 96.1 FM, on the free KGFW mobile app, and online at KGFW.com.
