Park Hill senior Braydan Resch struck out three Platte County batters in the Trojans’ 10-9 loss on May 12.
Devin Wassman showed up when it mattered the most for the Platte County baseball team (17-18), coming up with a go-ahead RBI double in the top of the fifth inning to defeat Park Hill (12-17) in the regular season finale, 10-9, on May 12.
The Pirates’ win over the Class 6 school is even more impressive given the fact they were outhit 10 to four but took advantage of those opportunities. The Trojans went up 3-0 in the bottom of the second inning with three RBI singles by Jaxon Grayson, Bryson Augustyn and Braydan Resch.
The Pirates tied the game up in the top of the third inning as Cameron Dean was walked and Dylan Robertson singled to put two runners on early. Wassman stepped up to the plate and hit a home run over right field, tying the game 3-3.
In the next two and a half innings, there were four lead changes, starting in the bottom of the third inning when Park Hill went ahead 5-3. For the second consecutive inning, Platte County responded with some runs.
The Trojans had some defensive woes, having five walks and an error in the first six at-bats for the Pirates. Platte County had three runs walked in during the inning and retook a 6-5 lead.
The margin didn’t last long as the Pirates had two of their three errors of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Five different Trojans got on base in the inning – with four of them crossing home plate – and Park Hill took its final regular season lead, 9-6.
The scoring surge continued in the top of the fifth inning before the contest went scoreless the rest of the way. The first three Platte County batters were walked as Dayton Doll stole home in that time frame.
James Schwieder was the next batter, being walked as well, before Park Hill finally forced an out. With the bases loaded, Robertson had a sacrifice fly to right field which sent Brian Chandler home, bringing the deficit within two runs.
Wassman was the next batter and after one pitch, Tyler Erikson scored on an error by Park Hill catcher Jaxon Miller. Trailing 9-8 with two outs and two runners on, Wassman hit a line drive to right field which ended up being the final run scored on the night deciding the victor.
Platte County didn’t have another hit in the last two innings and Park Hill only had one more scoring opportunity. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Resch singled and Tyson Kiser was walked in the first two at-bats, with the bases eventually being loaded when Maxx Houchins reached on an error.
With only one out on the board, Park Hill had an opportunity to extend the game, but fell short. Hunter Canole struck out Kaeden Pak and Grayson to close out the inning.
Wassman had five of the Pirates’ seven RBIs and two of their four hits as Dylan Zimmerman and Robertson had the other two. Brayden Carter struck out five Trojans to earn the win and Canole had the save, striking out four.
Grayson, Augustyn and Resch all had two hits as Grayson led the way in RBIs with three. Four different players stepped on the mound with Resch and Jase Johnson having three strikeouts.
The postseason is officially here with Platte County being in the Class 5 District 8 Tournament and Park Hill being in the Class 6 District 8 Tournament, both of which are to be played at Creekside Baseball Complex. The Pirates will open districts with a matchup against Pembroke Hill (11-17) on May 17 at 6 p.m. as the Trojans took on Staley (21-13) in the first round on May 16.