The Leavenworth Wranglers continued to roll in their second game of the Post 23 Legion league tournament on Friday, taking an 11-3 win over Tonganoxie. A key to the game for the Wranglers, said coach Justin Bode, was a superb outing from pitcher Ryan Lasneske.
“Ryan Lasneske threw a gem of a game,” Bode said of Lasneske’s complete game win. “It was one of the best games I’ve seen him throw.”
Lasneske had seven strikeouts and gave up just one earned run in the game.
Behind that, the defense was solid enough to seal the win, said Bode.
“We played defense behind him and did what we needed to do.”
Will Brown helped the Wranglers set the tone early on offense, blasting a home run way over the centerfield fence in his first at-bat of the game.
“In Will’s first at-bat he hit the ball about 430 feet,” Bode said.
The signature Leavenworth offense was potent enough for 11 runs in the win, starting with two in the second. The third inning saw the Wranglers add three more to their lead before Tonganoxie got on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Leavenworth answered with two of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Tonganoxie wrapped up their scoring with one more in the fifth and the Wranglers added four more in the sixth for their 11-run total.
For Tonganoxie coach Pat Bailey, the Wrangler’s hitting was the downfall of his boys. Starter Brett Bailes threw 4 1/3 innings with just one strikeout before Eric Lowe finished up the game and notched four strikeouts.
“We weren’t over-powering today,” Bailey said of his pitchers. “They just wanted it a little worse than we did.”
For Leavenworth, Landon Cole went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Drew Thomas added a 2-for-4 performance with a pair of RBIs and a couple runs scored. Brown’s homer was part of a 2-for-4 night that included two RBIs.
Another player who came up big, said Bode, was Byron Hadfield.
“Byron had a big two-out single to score two runs for us,” Bode said of Hadfield’s third-inning knock. “And Doug Rosendahl had a single. It was big because that was probably his first real hit,” Bode explained, noting the high school season was Rosendahl’s first baseball experience.
For Tonganoxie, the two fourth-inning runs came on a Ryan Stockman single, an RBI double from Grant Ebbert and an RBI-hit from Kyle Newton. Corey Klinkenburg got the fifth-inning rally started with a base on balls, Lowe moved him over with a single and James Bailey earned the final RBI with a single.
The Wranglers advance to take on the Easton Outlaws at 8 p.m. today at Padilla Field. For Tonganoxie, a noon game at Padilla against the Easton Lions is their next tournament action.
LEAVENWORTH — A two-run home run by Josh Herrig in the three hole set the tone early for the Leavenworth Wranglers in the first game of their doubleheader with the Easton Outlaws Wednesday, the Wranglers offense producing eight runs in the top of the first on their way to a 12-9 win.
After Herrig’s blast, a single by Will Brown and a double by Drew Thomas set the table for the third run when the next two Wrangler batters, Tyler Harper and Dillon Koskey, were hit by pitches. An Outlaw error on a Chris Haney knock allowed two runs to score and left Easton with two runners on base and just one out. A walk for Charles Davis once again loaded the bases and back-to-back RBI singles by Drake Sedillo and Landon Cole continued the run for Leavenworth. A sacrifice fly by Josh Harrison capped the Wranglers’ first inning.
Easton wasn’t content to go down quietly though, gradually chipping away to make it a ball game. The Outlaws had the tying run on second base in the bottom of the fourth inning, but left two runners stranded as the closest they ever got to the Wranglers after digging the eight-run hole was a two-run deficit.
The slow and steady Easton offense put up two in the first, Jason Crook walking and Derek Warden getting on base on a fielder’s choice. Both scored on a Wranglers error.
In the top of the second, Leavenworth’s Brown picked up right where he left off in Monday’s Wranglers’ win, blasting a solo homer well beyond the leftfield fence. In the next at bat, Thomas was inches from making it two homers in a row, settling for a double when his ball hit near the top of the centerfield fence. An error left Harper get on base and Thomas score before the Outlaws took out struggling starter Levi Johnson and put Gary Flack on the mound. Haney managed an RBI base hit but Flack was able to shut down the Wranglers after that.
Seth Johnson led off the second with a walk for the Outlaws, scoring on a base hit by Donald Brown. Wranglers pitcher Tyler Harper found his groove in the second though, striking out two Easton batters in the inning.
The Outlaws held in the top of the third, leaving the score at 11-3 when they got their third chance at the plate. Jeremy and Jason Crook each walked to give Easton speed on the bases and Warden ripped a single to score both. A passed ball allowed Warden to come across to leave the Outlaws down by five.
Another scoreless inning for Leavenworth continued to let the Wranglers sneak back in, Easton scoring three more in the bottom of the fourth to make it 11-9. An error allowed Joey Phillips to get on base to start the rally and a walk by Levi Johnson put two runners on for Easton. A sacrifice fly by Jeremy Crook scored Phillips and Levi crossed on a passed ball. After knocking a single, Warden also scored on a passed ball to finish out the Outlaw’s scoring for the game. In the fourth, two more Easton runners got on base before the Wranglers brought in Ryan Lasneske to pitch, Lasneske earning a strikeout to escape the inning.
Leavenworth finally got their bats going again in the fifth, scoring one on singles by Sedillo and Herrig, Herrig earning the RBI.
The game was called after five innings due to the time limit.
The strong hitting from his boys in the last couple outings, said Wranglers coach Justin Bode, has allowed them to be successful.
“We’ve been seeing the ball real well at the plate,” Bode said. “We’re getting timely hitting from our guys.”
On the mound, Harper recorded five strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings of work and Lasneske notched two Ks in his 1 1/3 innings for Leavenworth. Easton’s Flack struck out one in 3 2/3 innings.
Flack’s outing, said Outlaw coach Jerry Barnes, was a solid one.
“We got down 8-0 there and then Gary came in and did a good job,” Barnes said. “That’s important because it’s always good to have another pitcher to put on the mound.”
The second game proved to be a back-and-forth battle, the Outlaws and Wranglers trading leads until the Wranglers were able to notch the sweep with a 13-12 win in the bottom of the fifth as the game was cut short once again due to the time limit. The Wranglers had Lasneske on third, Hadfield on second and Cole on first when Herrig stepped up to the plate and laid down a bunt to give Lasneske the time he needed to cross home plate and give Leavenworth the victory.
“We knew the time limit was coming up, we’d be warned before the inning, so it was the perfect opportunity and we went for it,” Bode said. “It was a perfect bunt and perfect execution.”
The Leavenworth offense was led by Brown who went 3-for-3 with three singles and Cole and Herrig who each went 2-for-3.
In game two, the Wranglers took the early 2-0 lead after one inning, but the Outlaws came back to tie it at 2-all after the top of the third. Leavenworth pulled away again in the bottom half of the third, taking a 4-2 lead, but Easton answered the call and posted six in the fourth to once again take over the lead. The trend continued as the Wranglers matched with a six-run inning of their own and when the Outlaws gave themselves a 12-10 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth, Leavenworth stepped to the plate and delivered three runs for the win.
Coming back from the deficit, said Bode, showed his team is maturing.
“We didn’t play as well in the second game, but we were able to come back from some deficits that we hadn’t been able to (in the past).”
From the other dugout, Barnes said it was his boys’ own mistakes that helped to cause the loss.
“It was an exciting game,” Barnes said of the night cap. “It was close all the way. We had two chances for two double plays (in the fifth to save the win) but we couldn’t get it done.
“Defensively we had a couple bobbles and that was the difference in the game.”
The Outlaw offense, paced by a pair of home runs by Phillips and one from Hupp, was pretty good in spite of the two losses, said Barnes.
“We had some good hits, we just gave up too many walks and you can’t give good teams free bases.”
The Easton boys will bounce back though, Barnes said.
“We’re falling together,” Barnes said. “We’ll forget about this and move on.”
The Outlaws next game is Friday, Easton playing a doubleheader against Tonganoxie with games at 6 and 8 p.m.
For Bode and his boys, the wins over the Outlaws were a big confidence boost.
“This is a team that beat us a lot last year,” Bode said. “It was good to battle them in two close games and get the wins.”
LANSING — After playing five games in the Osawatomie tournament over the weekend, the Lansing Cubs were left with just 10 battered bodies for Monday’s match up with the Leavenworth Wranglers, the Lansing club falling to the Wranglers in just three innings.
The scheduling error on his part, said Cubs coach Mike Smith, was the downfall for his boys in the contest.
“We had the tournament this weekend, we played five games and played our hearts out,” Smith said. “Everybody had pitched so their arms were sore.”
The Cubs forfeit game two of the doubleheader to save their players for Thursday’s game at Sports Field against the Easton Lions.
“I didn’t want to get anyone hurt,” Smith said.
For the Wranglers, it was a successful night at the plate and in the field.
“Landon (Cole) pitched well and the defense played well behind him,” Wrangler coach Justin Bode said.
Cole gave up just four hits on the night and struck out four in the three-inning outing.
At the plate, all nine Leavenworth batters had at least one hit in the game, including two home runs by Will Brown and a ground-rule double by Josh Herrig.
“We hit the ball well, we were hitting it all over the place,” Bode said. “Will Brown getting two home runs was pretty special. Him pulling one and taking one the opposite way was impressive. It shows he’s matured as a hitter.”
Well my senior year in High School is over. I finished the season with a .452 Batting average. I am told that it's the 3rd highest in my league. Still I only got 2nd team all Sunflower League. Coaches told me that it is a political thing. That is how this whole year went. I will say that my baseball coaches wanted me to succeed. I appreciate all that they've done and will do all that I can to represent well, at the next level. Anyway, I'll be put in a position to show what I can do in both football and baseball, next year. I've faced some obstacles but by the grace of God have overcame all. YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN and YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE DESTINY OF GOD'S CHILDREN.
Finally got to get out on the diamond the other day. I pitched an inning, having two nice strikeouts and giving up a single. At the plate, I hit the top of the left field fence and was walked before being taken out. I had good stuff and felt right at home. Hopefully this is just a taste of how well I'll do this season. Though I'm signed, I still have lots to prove.
Here is the article posted on the Friends University Baseball web page:
Falcon Baseball Signs Pitcher for 2008-09
Friends University and Head Baseball Coach Derek Leppert is pleased to announce the commitment of William Brown of Leavenworth, Kansas. William will play both baseball and football for the Falcons.
“William is young man we want to bring into our program,” states Coach Leppert. “He is a humble young man who comes from a great family and we look forward to seeing what he is going to do for us on the field and in the classroom. He throws in the upper 80s low 90s, but more importantly he is committed to receiving a quality education from a great university such as ours.”
Some of William’s impressive accolades:
oNational Honor Society
oKansas Boys State 2007
oWho’s Who
oNational Honor Roll
oNational Society Of High School Scholars
oPeer Mediator
oPresidential Youth Leadership Forum
oFootball letterman with conference honors (full stats can be found at mid-statesports.com)
oTop 50 football @ mid-statesports.com
oFour sport varsity letterman
oFCA member
o2008 Pre Season Kansas 6A All State Outfielder
oHonorable mention all sunflower league 2007
oSelected to play overseas by Coast to Coast Baseball
It was a tough decision and my folks let me make the final decision, myself. I've decided to sign with Friends University. This experience was incredible. I've had some really good schools looking at me but most of all some great coaches that really treated me well. I will mention a couple that I feel should be mentioned. First there is the local coach, Coach Rustin from St. Marys. I must say that if it were not for the location, I'd love to play for him. Next there is Coach Messinger from Ottawa. I and my father really like him. My decision to not go there was based mainly on baseball. I loved Ottawa's coaches and again, Coach Messinger was the one who made my decision so hard. I'd play for him any day. I'll only mention one baseball coach, though I can think of a few. Coach Kovash from UAB, really has been great. He asked me not to sign with anyone but I really want to play both sports more than just D1 baseball alone. I don't know how I'll feel in a few years but I love the fact that I'm going to be able to play both baseball and football at Friends. My meeting with Coach Leppert, really settled things for me. I still had a hard time just walking away from Ottawa. I just woke up one day though and just knew that Friends was the place for me. my dad told me that I have to make the calls and tell people of my decision. So, to get this done, I sign on Thursday and make my calls on Friday. Coaches from both sports are coming up and I have a gang of people who have supported me through the years coming. Melvin Lister III is taking time off from training for the Olympics, this summer, to be here. He holds the Olympic trials records in the Long jump and triple jump. He is a hometown hero that doesn't get enough props, if you ask me. He has been a huge support system over the years. I feel a huge load off of my shoulders and am looking forward to this summer. My Dad has hired a speed coach for me and I'm still working with Coach Kilmer on my pitching. If you are looking for a quality education and play for great coaches, I'd surely look at Ottawa (Coach Messinger) and University of St Mary (Coach Larry Rustin). I can honestly say that these two are great guys working in great programs. And Oh, I cannot leave out my future school..... Home of the Falcons....... Friends University!
Yesterday I had two scheduled visits but because of time and weather only made one. I went to Wichita and visited Friends University and must say that I LOVED it! Great coaches. convinced players who stress the family attitude and I loved the meeting with the baseball coach. He spent time with me and made me feel like I was wanted. The football staff blew me away. They know how to win and they are doing it and not compromising the character of the family(team). The coaches true care for their players. I got that from the players and you can see it their eyes. I've had several coaches tell me that they wanted me but it was something about the way they told me. The head coach let me know that he cared if I decided to go somewhere else. I haven't heard that before. I was about ready to sign on the spot. When the players were told that I was considering going there, they acted excited about me being there. My Dad told me that we had to talk it over as a family. I still have a few left on my list to visit but I don't know if I will. Though I have some D1 schools in baseball looking at me, I really want to play both of my sports if possible. If it is God's will for me to be a pro one day, it won't matter where I go. I'm gong to work hard, wherever I go. I'm going to do well, regardless of the school. My Dad said something that stuck with me and that is being happy with where I am and what I'm doing, is important. We will make a decision soon. I really consider myself to be truly blessed. I have the options of going to school and playing both of the sports that I love so much. And if I go to one of the schools that I've recently visited, it will be at a Christian School, and I know that will make my father really happy. Being a believer, I believe that my steps are ordered by God. I just plan on walkin it out.
Just made a visit last Thursday to Ottawa University and I must say that it was a pleasant surprise. Though the campus is small, most of the student body are athletes. I met the Biology professor and liked him alot. The football field is gorgeous. The coaching staff were cool . My Dad liked the school also. I also like the fact that I can play both football and baseball there. I head out towards Wichita tomorrow. I have 6 more schools to see. The head coach from Ottawa was making jokes about how may schools that I have as options. Anyway, I'm still looking but I will say that for anyone who has overlooked Ottawa University, you may have made the wrong decision.
I have been working out with former Kansas Pitching coach, Wilson Kilmer and I must say that after 4 sessions with him, my pitching is really coming looking strong. He is in contact with UAB, keeping them up on how I'm doing in my training. he is also sending footage to them that was shot during my session. The guy is a former college All- American and he has really upped my game. I can't wait till the season starts. I've just heard from Louisviille and will be going to Ottawa this weekend. Tick-Tock... This has been really intense. I have options but am praying to make the best decision for me and my future. With signing day right in my face, this has been really intense. Oh yeah, congrats to my boy, Chris Hill who just signed to play football for Navy!
