North Platte won its first KCI Conference game in over two years on Thursday, April 16 at Lathrop, Mo. The Panthers won 9-7 on the strength of a two-run home run from Kyle Bledsoe. It is North Platte’s first win in league play since a 7-6 victory against Mid-Buchanan on April 9, 2013.
North Platte senior Blake Toliver pitched a complete game, striking out six and walking just one batter. Triston Rickel went 5-for-5 with two doubles and scored four runs in the contest. Toliver scored three of the runs with a 1-for-4 effort form the plate.
North Platte scored two runs in the top of the first inning before the Mules answerd with three in the bottom of the first inning. The Panthers tied the game in the third and again took the lead in the fifth before a three-run outburst once again put Lathrop ahead.
North Platte took the lead for good in the sixth inning with four runs and added an insurance tally in the seventh.
Garrett Lamar collected two RBIs to go with one apiece from Austin Shanks, Aron Burke and Rickel.
West Platte 10, East Buchanan 4
McKaulley Stephenson pitched five innings of two-run baseball to lead West Platte to a KCI win against East Buchanan Thursday, April 17 at Benner Park in Weston, Mo.
The junior ace also tallied five RBIs from the plate in a 2-for-3 performance with a home run and a double. West Platte led 8-1 after four innings.