Terry Douglass, Central Nebraska Today
GRAND ISLAND — Grand Island scored seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning Thursday afternoon, powering its way to an 11-1 season-opening victory over Lincoln High at Ashley Park.
The Islanders (1-0) ended the game early via the 10-run rule after Sam Schroeder and Miles Nelson headlined a dominant offensive display.
With the team’s usual home field at Ryder Park undergoing renovations, the Islanders appeared comfortable at Ashley Park. Five of Grand Island’s nine hits went for extra bases at the temporary venue with smaller dimensions, including a center-field fence just 340 feet from home plate.
Leading 4-1 entering the fifth, Grand Island quickly turned the game into a rout. Schroeder ignited the rally by leading off the frame with a line-drive home run to center field. Later in the inning, with one out and the bases loaded, Nelson hammered a two-strike pitch over the left-field fence to seal the victory.
Schroeder finished 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. Nelson’s grand slam capped a high-scoring afternoon that also saw multi-hit performances from Gabe Ruiz and Ethan Mader. Ruiz went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Mader was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk.
On the mound, Keegan Inks provided a solid outing for the Islanders. The junior right-hander earned the win, striking out seven and walking only one over 4 2/3 innings. He allowed just two hits and one unearned run. Grayson Sack closed with 1/3 of an inning of scoreless relief.
Lincoln High (0-1) struggled to find a rhythm at the plate. The Links’ lone run came in the fourth inning following a two-out error. Ben Lanham and Carter Duncan both singled to account for the only hits for Lincoln High.
Grand Island faces a significant challenge Friday when it travels to Millard North, the preseason No. 2-ranked team in Class A by the Omaha World-Herald. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Grand Island 11, Lincoln High 1
Lincoln High (0-1)……….000 10— 1 2 0
Grand Island (1-0)………220 07—11 9 1
W—Keegan Inks. L—Lucas Long. 2B—Grand Island, Gabe Ruiz, Grayson Sack, Sam Schroeder. HR—Grand Island, Schroeder, Miles Nelson.
