HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Cubs continue to battle Neodesha for the Tri-Valley League title following an 8-1, 3-2 sweep of TVL foe Caney Valley Tuesday night.
An 11-strikeout performance by sophomore pitcher Ty Shaugnessy was the difference-maker in the opener while a sacrifice fly by junior catcher Gavin Gunderman did in the Caney Valley Bullpups in the nightcap.
“We got off to a fast start in game one, and gave Ty some early runs,” Humboldt coach Mike Miller said. “He was back to his old self after having to exit his last game with some back tightness. He really attacked their hitters and kept them off balance.”
Timely hitting from Humboldt’s freshmen earned the Cubs their first win of the evening. Freshman third baseman Mason Miller and freshman first baseman Bentley Kolb had two RBIs each.
Humboldt scored a pair of runs on an error off a grounder by sophomore designated hitter Kolton Hanson. A bases-loaded walk and a two-RBI single by Kolb gave the Cubs a 5-0 advantage in the third inning. Mason Miller plated both of his RBIs with a hard shot to the pitcher in the fourth, then a fifth-inning Gunderman grounder plated Humboldt final run in the sixth.
“We were able to take advantage of some of their mistakes and come up with some big two-out hits to extend the lead,” Coach Miller said.
The score was a bit tighter in the finale as the Bullpups fought to stave off a sweep. Shaughnessy put the Cubs on the scoreboard with an RBI single, then Hanson drove in Shaughnessy in Humboldt’s opening frame.
“Mason got off to a great start on the mound in game two before running into a little trouble in the third. He was able to limit the damage, but they were able to tie it up,” Coach Miller said.
The Bullpups responded with a pair of runs in the third inning, prompting Coach Miller to go with Gunderman as reliever for the next four innings. Both Miller and Gunderman had three strikeouts. Gunderman got the win in more ways than one after allowing one hit on the mound and driving in the eventual game-winning run in the fourth inning.
“Gavin gave us some great innings on the mound,” Miller said. “He also had a great at-bat that ended in a sac-fly to give us the lead. Gavin really pitched to contact, and we played some great defense behind him to secure the win.”
With the win, the Cubs improved to 9-6 overall and 6-1 in TVL play.
The Cubs and Lady Cubs will step away from league play Friday for the Walter Johnson and Lindsey Friederich Memorial Tournament. Participating teams include the Central Heights Vikings, Neodesha Blue Streaks and Anderson County Bulldogs.
