Bulldogs split in season finale

After taking the opener 8-4, the Bulldogs dropped the nightcap 10-2.

Pierce (5-2) went four innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on four hits and one walk, with one strikeout. Blake Bucher was touched for two unearned runs on one hit and two walks in recording a three-inning save, his third of the season.

Ark City got to Game 1 starter Joaquin Banuelos for two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Cadon Clark led off with a single, stole second and scored on a double by Gabe Welch. Trevor Pierce singled and Bucher scored on a fielder’s choice.

Banuelos reached on an error in the top of the third and scored on a double by Brendan Buseman. However, the Bulldogs (11-9, 5-7 AV-CTL D-II) answered in like fashion when Trevor Pierce reached on an error and eventually scored on a fielder’s choice in the bottom half of the inning.

The Trojans (7-11, 2-8) made it a one-run game again in the fourth on singles by Drew Torgerson and Brooks Allen. But Ark City broke it open by batting around in a five-run fifth. Trevor Pierce stroked a two-run double and Joe Thomson had an RBI double ahead of a two-run single by Taylor Andrews.

Andover tacked on two unearned runs in the top of the sixth.

Banuelos gave up eight runs, seven earned, on eight hits and four walks, with three strikeouts in five innings. Logan McLaren allowed a hit and struck out one in an inning of work.

Clark, Thomson and Trevor Pierce all had two-hit games, while Andrews drove in four. Bucher drew three walks.

It was the Trojans who broke up a close game in the nightcap, scoring five runs in the top of the seventh inning. Peyton White hit a three-run homer in the frame.

Braydon Pinion went four innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on two hits and three walks, with two strikeouts.

Buseman went the distance on the bump with a six-hitter for the Trojans.

Welch and Andrews had two hits apiece.

With makeup games being played Friday, the brackets for the Class 5A Regional Tournament likely won’t be available until today. Andover and Salina Central had a makeup twinbill scheduled for Friday.

Ark City 8, Andover 4 — Game 1

Andover    001    102    0    —    4    5    1

Arkansas City    201    500    x    —    8    9    3

Banuelos, McLaren (6) and Bair. J. Pierce, Bucher (5) and Welch. WP — J. Pierce. LP — Banuelos. Sv — Bucher. 2B — And, Buseman; Ark, Welch, T. Pierce, Thomson 2.

———

Andover 10, Ark City 2 — Game 2

Andover    210    002    5    —    10    6    1

Arkansas City    000    200    0    —    2    6    2

Buseman and Osborne. Pinion, Conklin (5), Welch (6), Bucher (6), Ja. Abrams (7) and Bucher, Welch (5). WP — Buseman. LP — Pinion. 2B — And, Buseman, Brodhagen; Ark, Welch, Thomson. HR — And, White (seventh inning, 2 on, 1 out).