Comets Sweep Sunday Double-Header over Broncos

(Hastings, NE) – After an opening day split in the home-opening series, Hastings lost the first game, but had a late 2-1 lead in game two, before eventually falling, 6-2, to the Mayville State Comets on Sunday.

The Comets got five runs in the top of the inning on four hits to set the tone. After a strikeout, the next five batters reached, including two by walk. They got their last three runs of the inning on a hit batter and a two-run single. They added a run in the second on a sac fly to go up 6-0, then scored a run in the third with a two-out double that was made possible by a Hastings error to begin the inning, making it 7-0. 

The bottom of the third brought offense for Hastings that started with a walk to freshman Jordin Albertson. With one out, senior Alliskair Descartes hit an infield single and a walk to junior Jaden Stone loaded the bases. Next up, junior Jace Valdez brought a run in by earring a walk and the next pitch hit sophomore Jared Delgado to make it 7-2. The third run came home on an infield single from freshman Eddie Henchek, but the Broncos struck out and flew out in the next two at-bats to end the inning at 7-3 with the bases loaded.

Mayville State got two of the runs back in the fourth that began with the first three batters reaching base to score one. They added their second run with two outs on a wild pitch. 

The Broncos answered with a two-out rally that began with a walk to Descartes, who raced around the bases to score on a triple from Stone to trim the lead to 9-4. The top half of the fifth inning would be tough to overcome, as the Comets scored six runs on five hits and three walks to take a 15-4 lead. 

Delgado later came around to score on a passed ball after he doubled in the fifth, getting back to within 10. The Comets got that run back in the sixth on an error after two singles opened the inning.

Later in the sixth, senior Mason Masur and Descartes reached base and Stone drove in Masur with a sac fly. The next two batters reached to load the bases for Henchek, who came through this time with the bases loaded on an infield hit to bring in the eighth run. Senior Elijah Merritt drove in sophomore Ronak Crossley from third for their final run of the inning, making it 16-8, which would end up being the final score after a scoreless seventh inning.

Henchek was 2-4 with two RBIs and Descartes was 2-2 with a walk and three runs scored. Stone finished 1-2 with a walk and two RBIs.

In game two, the Comets began it with two walks and a single, but Masur's throw from right field to senior Vince Byrne was on the money to throw out the Comet racing home. They did take a 1-0 lead on a single in the next at-bat, but freshman pitcher Alex Wilson limited the damage to that run.

Hastings came out looking to score on offense, as Stone walked and stole both second and third base. With one out, Delgado singled to put runners on the corners. After a strikeout, the Comets' pitcher throw was off the mark on his pickoff attempt, allowing Stone to score and Delgado to move up to second. Merritt walked and senior Caleb Duinink singled up the middle to put Hastings up 2-1 after one.

No runs occurred again until the top of the sixth when the Broncos turned to their bullpen after a one-run on four-hit pitching performance from Wilson. Mayville State loaded the bases without a hit and nobody out and three straight singles brought in four runs to put the Comets up 7-3 with six outs left for Hastings on offense.

The sixth inning brought chances for Hastings offensively with two walks and a double steal to put runners in scoring position with one out, but the Comets struck out the next two Broncos to strand the runners. Mayville State added a run in the seventh on an RBI groundout to take a 6-2 lead. Hastings got runners on second and third with two out on a Macur double, but the Comets forced a groundout to end the game.

Masur had a team-high two hits, going 2-4, while Stone was 1-2 with two walks and a run scored.

Up next, Hastings will travel to Hillsboro, KS to take on #22 Tabor for a double-header on Tuesday, Mar. 4 beginning at 1pm.