By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

Game 1:  TMP 3, Sacred Heart 2 (9 innings)
Game 2:  TMP 4, Sacred Heart 2

TMP needed extra innings in Game 1 and a two out, seventh inning rally in Game 2 to pick up a doubleheader sweep of Salina-Sacred Heart on Tuesday night in Salina.  The Monarchs won Game 1 in nine innings 3-2 and a 4-2 win in Game 2.  Pitching and defense were the name of the game on both sides of the field in both games as runs were a premium throughout the night.

TMP never trailed in Game 1.  The Monarchs scored a run in the second inning, one more in the fifth and the game winner in the ninth.  Ryan Ruder pitched the final two innings in relief to pick up his fourth win on the season.  The Monarch senior went two for five at the plate and had the game winning, two out RBI single in the top of the ninth to help TMP to the win.

In Game two Sacred Heart took their first and only lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.  The Knights used go an RBI double from catch Cooper Turpin.  TMP would answer immediately in the top of the sixth with three straight hits with the last of those being a game tying RBI single from Justin Pfeifer.

Sacred Heart would quickly put the pressure on the Monarchs in the bottom of the inning putting runners at second and third with only one out.  That’s when senior Jared Rack took control on the mound by striking out the final two Knights to take the game to the seventh tied at 2.  TMP had two quick outs in the top of the inning but were able to scratch across two runs with a couple of hits, a stolen base, a walk and an error.

Rack goes the distance for the win allowing two runs and striking out nine to pick up his third win of 2016.  TMP improves to 12-4 on the year and will travel to Goodland for a doubleheader on Thursday.

BRIAN SCHUMACHER INTERVIEW

GAME HIGHLIGHTS