Hutchinson rallies from seven-run deficit, sweeps Barton in doubleheader

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 19 Hutchinson Community College baseball team trailed Barton 7-0 after 3½ innings Thursday, April 9, without a baserunner through the first three innings of the series opener.

The Blue Dragons responded with 26 runs over the final 10½ innings, sweeping a Jayhawk West doubleheader at Hobart-Detter Field. Hutchinson won the opener 9-7 before closing out a 17-4 run-rule victory in seven innings in Game 2.

Hutchinson improved to 32-9 overall and 14-4 in conference play. Barton dropped to 27-13 and 11-11 in the Jayhawk West.

Four home runs powered the Game 1 comeback. Aidan Marien started it with a leadoff home run in the fourth inning. Jackson Schanuel followed with a two-run shot to pull the Dragons within 7-3. The Blue Dragons continued to chip away in the fifth inning, with Marien adding another home run before Cru Huenfeld drove a three-run opposite-field shot to left field, giving Hutchinson a 9-7 lead.

Marien finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Schanuel went 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Huenfeld was 1 for 3 with three RBIs. Kolby Heskett earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Bradyn Henry worked two perfect innings for his second save of the season.

Game 2 was decided early. Hutchinson scored four runs in the first inning and broke the game open with 11 runs in the third, highlighted by Diesel Purnell's first career grand slam — the sixth of the season for the Dragons. Purnell drove in four runs, a single-game career high.

Jordan Kuhnau and Eli Duncan each went 3 for 4 to lead a 15-hit attack. Anthony Mazza doubled twice, giving him 38 career doubles and tying him for second on the program's all-time list. Wes Lyerly earned the win, throwing six innings and improving to 6-1.

The four-game series concludes Saturday, April 11, with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Lawson-Biggs Field in Great Bend.