GRAND ISLAND – The game had many ups and downs, but the Runza Seniors found a way to remain undefeated in the A7 District Tournament, taking down Grand Island Home Federal in a late night matchup at Ryder Park 11-10 Tuesday night. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Runza Seniors v. Home Federal – A7 District Tourney / KGFW
Kearney (21-17) continued on their unblemished mark in district play, earning the win scoring eleven runs on ten hits with five errors while Grand Island Home Federal (21-16-1) fell, scoring ten runs on eleven hits and three errors.
The Runza Seniors entered the day as the only unbeaten team in district play, having downed Lexington on Saturday, top seeded Hastings Five Points Bank on Sunday, and winning 1-0 over North Platte on Monday afternoon.
Grand Island Home Federal had fallen to North Platte Sunday but outlasted Lexington in six innings on Monday to move into an elimination game with Kearney.
Runza Seniors v. Home Federal – A7 District Tourney / KGFW
Pitchers were in short supply to start the contest, as Grand Island allowed Kearney to take a huge advantage in the beginning of the contest. The Runza Seniors totaled nine runs in the top of the first, a lead that kept Kearney ahead throughout the contest.
The scoring started with Bryce Andersen’s single, followed by a Jase Blattner sac fly, Kegan Brand’s ground out, a Quinn Foster single, Garrison Burns drawing a walk and a score, Kole Throckmorton’s single scoring two runs, a Nolan Smith single, and finally an error drawing another run.
Runza Seniors v. Home Federal – A7 District Tourney / KGFW
Kearney would not score again until the fifth inning, as Grand Island scored two runs in the bottom of the second and pushed the deficit closer with four runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth each.
The Runza Seniors would close out the contest with Nolan Smith on the mound, earning the reliever the win allowing no hits, no runs, and striking out three batters.
Kearney now advances into a potential doubleheader on Wednesday at Ryder Park, taking on Hastings Five Points Bank for the A7 District Title. Kearney has two games to take the win, as a win in Game One or Two earns the district title for the Runza Seniors.
KGFW’s pregame coverage for the A7 District Championship is set for 3:45 PM on Wednesday as first pitch comes at 4 PM.
