HAYS – Logan Baalmann blasted a pair of home runs, and three Monarchs pitchers held Skyline to just two hits as TMP opened regional play Thursday with a 13-0 win over Pratt Skyline.
TMP starter Ty Schmeidler retired the side in the top of the first inning, tallying a pair of strikeouts to provide the Monarchs with an early spark.
The Monarchs’ offense exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the inning, sending 13 batters to the plate.
After a leadoff single, TMP’s Carson Liles tripled home the game’s first run. Liles scored in the next at-bat on a Grant Nehls single to make it 2-0 TMP.
Nehls then scored on a passed ball, and a fourth run scored on a Thunderbirds error to put TMP ahead 4-0.
Logan Baalmann followed with a two-run home run — his first of two in the game — to extend the lead to 6-0.
Three batters later, TMP scored on a passed ball, and Ian Nehls singled up the middle to drive in two more runs for a 9-0 lead.
The Monarchs’ final run of the inning came on a Grant Nehls groundout for a 10-0 advantage.
Liles replaced Schmeidler on the mound and scattered two hits over three innings while striking out five.
Baalmann hit his second home run in the bottom of the second inning, and Connor Breit doubled in a run to put TMP ahead 12-0.
TMP added its final run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Trevor Fabrizius single for a 13-0 lead.
Grant Nehls pitched a scoreless fifth inning as TMP secured the 13-0 win and a spot in next week’s regional semifinals.
Baalmann finished 2 for 2 with two home runs and three RBIs. Grant and Ian Nehls each drove in two runs for TMP.
Carson Liles (7-0) earned the win on the mound.
TMP will take on Medicine Lodge in the second semifinal of the day Tuesday. The Indians defeated Elkhart 17-1 on Thursday.
On the other side of the bracket, No. 4 Bucklin/South Central defeated No. 13 Kinsley 13-3 and will face No. 5 Little River, which defeated Sublette 16-0.