HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs used a pair of solid pitching performances and timely hitting to complete a doubleheader sweep of Sacred Heart Tuesday in Hays.
Game 1: TMP 4, Sacred Heart 2
TMP senior starter Jace Wentling allowed just two hits in
five and two-thirds shutout innings as the Monarchs took the first game Tuesday
afternoon at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex 4-2.
The Monarchs struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Wentling drove in the game’s first run with an RBI double. Two batters later Nick Helget singled home Wentling giving TMP a 2-0 lead at the end of one inning.
On the mound Wentling was extremely efficient, it took him just 60 pitches to pitch into the sixth inning.
The five and two-thirds innings pitched is a new career-high for Wentling. He struck out five and did not allow a run as he picked up his first win of the season.
TMP added a third run on a wild pitch in the fifth and another on a error in the sixth as they held on for the 4-2 win.
Nick Herrman was two-for-four at the top of the lineup for TMP.
Game 2: TMP 5, Sacred Heart 2
In game two, three TMP pitchers combined to allow a pair of
runs on four hits and Jace Wentling hit his first homerun of the season as the
Monarchs picked up the 5-2 victory.
TMP starter Nick Herrman retired the first nine hitters he faced before allowing a single to start the fourth inning. The run would eventually come into score after Herrman departed the game in the fourth.
Just like in game one TMP jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to Wentling's first homerun of the season, a two-run shot in the first inning.
Herrman, didn’t factor into the decision but allowed just one run one hit in three and two-thirds innings. He struck out three hitters.
Bryce Conner, in his first appearance of the season, picked up the win. He allowed just two hits with three strikeouts in two and a third-innings of work.
Leading 2-1, the Monarchs battered around in the bottom of the sixth inning scoring three straight runs on three straight RBI singles to building a 5-1 lead.
Sacred Heart added a run in the seventh but the Monarchs were able to secure the 5-2 victory.
Griffin Schumacher collected a pair of hits for TMP and was two-for-three with a run scored. Jace Wentling drove in a pair of runs.
TMP improved to 8-4 with a pair of wins. Sacred Heart dropped to 8-6.
The Monarchs return to action Thursday at home against Goodland.