Hayden, Silver Lake, Rossville baseball advance to KSHSAA state semifinals
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The final week of high school sports in Kansas began on Monday, May 25. The high school state baseball tournament featured three Shawnee County teams in the state quarterfinals.
Here’s everything that happened to Hayden, Silver Lake and Rossville baseball.
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Hayden upsets Rock Creek in epic comeback win
The walls were closing in on Hayden baseball quickly in the Class 4A State Quarterfinals. While most people thought the game was over, Hayden’s roster never quit.
No. 7 Hayden (20-5) used a huge comeback to defeat No. 2 Rock Creek (23-5) 7-6.
“Credit to the kids, they never gave up and they kept fighting,” Hayden head coach Bill Arnold said. "I'm extremely proud of them. It’s why you play the game.”
The Mustangs led 7-3 entering the final inning. Caleb Menke didn’t think the lineup would ever get back to him. After striking out in his last at-bat, he thought the game was coming to an end.
But, the Wildcats stacked hit after hit.
Everett Tourtillott started the top of the seventh inning with a line drive single. Following his single, Hayden grounded out and struck out giving Rock Creek multiple chances to end the game.
Mason Becker followed it with a single to right field, which scored Tourtillott. Aiden Roberts nailed a hard grounder to the shortstop, which turned into an error.
With runners at second and third base, Kade Mitchell was intentionally walked. Mitchell, who left the regional championship game with a hamstring injury, was the heart and soul of the team in the dug out according to Arnold.
Next up was Menke.
He saw pitch after pitch after pitch. He took seven of them.
With the count set at 2-2, Rock Creek had a passed ball giving Hayden another run. On the following pitch, Menke made contact with a grounder to center field scoring the go-ahead run.
“He competes and I like his attention to detail,” Arnold said. “He does a really good job.”
Before his at-bat, Menke looked to the fence next to the dugout. His dad gave him some advice and words of encouragement before delivering the biggest plate appearance of his life.
“He talked to me before going up to bat, ‘Look, you are going to have fight off curve balls, but you got to sit on that fast ball, once you get it, you can't miss it,’” Menke said. “I just have to thank God for giving me that one fast ball.”
With the lead, Hayden needed to defend it.
Tourtillott pitched the final four innings of the game. After allowing a walk, Tourtillott threw back-to-back strikeouts. He followed it by hitting a Rock Creek batter giving them two base runners. But, he closed the door with a fly out to center sealing the comeback win.
It was a big moment for Tourtillot, who allowed two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. He wanted the ball in that moment to make up for his error.
“It could have easily been my last time on the mound this year,” Tourtillott said. “Once we started going, I was ready and I had to redeem myself and put it all out there."
Hayden led 3-1 after the top of the fourth inning. But, Rock Creek scored three runs thanks to an error and balk called on starting pitcher Connor Hanika.
Hanika was pulled after the balk. He finished the game pitching three innings allowing two hits and four unearned runs. He struck out two batters and walked three Rock Creek batters.
This is what makes Hayden dangerous with multiple strong pitchers. Hanika didn’t have his best stuff, but Tourtillott was able to have his back.
“He’s been great all year long,” Arnold said. “All three of those guys, Connor and Max (Becker) and Everett have all done a really good job on the mound throwing strikes for us."
Hayden will take on No. 6 Paola (21-5) in the semifinals at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at Kansas State.
Jax Ross epitomizes Silver Lake's run to Class 3A State Semifinals
Silver Lake’s determination and resolve has been key to an outstanding postseason. The Eagles upset No. 1 Council Grove 1-0 in the Class 3A State Quarterfinals.
No. 8 Silver Lake (17-11) used key moments from Jax Ross, who exemplifies everything about this postseason push, in the win.
“Jax Ross is the best story that we have going for us this year,” Silver Lake head coach Tyler Seele said.
In the second inning, Silver Lake had runners on first and second base. Council Grove’s dugout asked for its team to shade left. The coaching staff mentioned Ross's tendency to pull the ball.
Ross won't disagree.
“Oh yeah,” Ross said. “Once I saw it, I was trying to go oppo.”
Instead of pulling the ball, Ross tried his hardest to stay late. On the second pitch of the at bat, Ross hit a looping liner down the right field line. The ball dropped and Silver Lake was on the board.
“I saw it bounce and spin to the foul line,” Ross said.
It was a massive momentum swing for Silver Lake. It gave them the confidence needed to upset the No. 1 seed.
In the fifth inning, Council Grove had runners on first and second base. Bradley Doornbos hit a hard line drive to left field. The hit looked like it was going to score the tying run.
Ross collected the ball in left field and rifled it towards home. As Ross was starting his throw, Council Grove head coach Matt Wilkens stopped Maxton Villalobos at third base. Council Grove’s next batter hit a grounder to short to end the inning.
“I was hyped that they hit the line drive to me. I wanted him to go home,” Ross said with a smile. “I've thrown out three people this year so far.”
Not only did Ross’s offense help Silver Lake win the game, his defense did, too. What makes this amazing is that Ross didn't play meaningful time until halfway through the season.
Council Grove was 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position, the lone hit resulted in Ross’s game-saving throw.
Ross has worked his hardest to put himself in positions to succeed. He’s making individual plays look easy, in turn, it’s helping Silver Lake stack wins.
“That kid put his head down and worked his butt off to earn that spot in left field,” Seele said. “You talk about taking advantage of an opportunity, he has been nails for us. He helps us anyway that he can.”
Kipton Kruger put together another great day on the mound. The freshman pitched five innings and allowed three hits, zero runs and two walks. He did hit four batters, but his confidence never wavered on the mound.
“At this time of the year, you are no longer a freshman,” Seele said. “That kid is one of the toughest kids on our team. When the going gets a little tough, Kipton gets tougher.”
Dayne Johnson closed the game in the final two innings. He struck out two batters and sealed the win for the Eagles.
Silver Lake will play No. 4 Russell (23-5) in the state semifinals at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27 at Kansas State’s Tointion Family Stadium.
Rossville dominates in quarterfinal rout
No. 4 Rossville (24-4) cruised through the Class 2-1A State Quarterfinal against No. 5 Marmaton Valley (20-6). The Bulldawgs dominated the Wildcats 10-0 in five innings.
Once again, Rossville’s starting pitcher Cameron Miller shined. Miller has been Rossville's go-to player in the playoffs and he hasn’t slowed down at all. He threw four innings and allowed just two hits and two walks, while striking out seven batters.
Rossville scored at least one run in each inning. Seven of Rossville's nine players secured a hit, too. Canann Mitchell led the team with two RBIs off of two hits. Cooper Meyer and Cael Horgan both secured extra base hits, too.
Rossville will face No. 1 Thomas More Prep (28-1) at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27 at Kansas State.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Hayden, Silver Lake, Rossville advance to KSHSAA state baseball semifinals