Greathouse pitches ten strikeouts in loss to Enid Plainsmen

Senior shortstop Mack Thompson is the only Sandite to land a base hit in all three games this season. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (1-2 overall, 0-1 district) hosted the Enid Plainsmen (1-2, 1-0) in their district debut Monday evening, but stranded ten runners for their second-straight shutout loss.

Cowley County Community College-signed senior Hunter Greathouse (1-1) got the start and the loss on the mound, despite an excellent performance with ten strikeouts and only four hits with two walks. 

The Plainsmen were first to reach base with a single from Ambren Votiek, but Greathouse struck out two of the next three batters and caught a pop fly from the third to retire the side.

Mack Thompson was first to the plate for the home team and reached first on a ground ball to left field. He stole second and was joined by Treyce Tolbert who reached on error. Both runners tried for a steal with Greathouse at bat. Thompson was successful, but Tolbert was caught at second and Greathouse grounded out to strand Thompson.

The visitors made their way onto the scoreboard in the top of the second as Colby Jarnagin singled, stole second, then scored on an error at the plate. 

The Sandites loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth and were in good position to at least tie the game after Greathouse singled, Ian Baker walked, and Braden Cook was hit by pitch with only one out on the board. Unfortunately, Braden Askew grounded to short for a double play.

The Plainsmen tacked on another pair of runs in the top of the fifth as CJ Arndt walked, made his way to third on an error by Ty Steelman, then came home on a bunt single by Votiek. Votiek came home on a throw after Mason Skrimager singled to right field.

Thompson sent a fly ball to left field in the bottom of the fifth for his second hit of the game, then took second on a sacrifice by Cal Watkins, but was caught trying to take third on an error. 

Brock Youngblood (0-1) relieved Greathouse on the mound to start the sixth and gave up a double to Gore and a single to Kros Bay. Brett Russel sacrificed to bring in Gore for the 4-0 lead and the final run of the game.

The Sandites had a few more opportunities to score as Josh Taber reached on an error in the sixth and Cook walked, but both were stranded. The seventh inning was a rehash of the sixth with Kyler Copeland walking and Tolbert reaching on an error, but once more they were unable to score and the Plainsmen took home their first win of the season. 

Braden Pierce received the win and Colton Troxell was credited with a save.

The two teams will return to action Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in a rematch on the Plainsmen's home field.