The Bombers just kept the hits coming.
After Burke Echelmeier surrendered a two-out run to the visiting Ozark Bombers in the first, the Sedalia Bombers (7-5) collected all the runs they would need with five runs in the bottom of the frame. Echelmeier, Blaine Fisher, Tyler Hutchinson and Graham Roupp preserved the lead in a 5-3 victory Tuesday in Sedalia.
Brad Cuyos’ single up the middle gave Ozark their only lead, scoring Dylan Skinner
Eight straight Sedalia batters reached base off Generals starter Zach Maskill, with Quade Smith, Jordan Dey, Dalton Horstmeier, Alex Bee and Devon Morrill singled order to score five runs.
Horstmeier scored two with a bases-loaded single in the first. He hit the ball hard, but grounded out with the bases loaded in the eighth.
Horstmeier said he was glad to get the hit, considering the Bombers’ offensive showing after the first..
“They came out and put a quick on on us, and we like to do the same thing,” Horstmeier said. “Luckily we put up a five-spot, because we didn’t do anything the rest of the game.”
Maskill settled down after the first, allowing just one more hit through the fifth.
A certain Bombers run slipped away in the second after Smith ripped a line drove off the wall in right. Holt was bound to score, but stumbled rounding third.
Sedalia loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth inning with two walks and a hit by pitch, but a groundout to third ended the rally.
With a runner on first, Bryce Burdett drove a Roupp offering into left field on a line. The ball tailed away from a sliding Quade Smith, and rolled to the wall. Roupp completed the save with a strikeout and groundout.
Garrett Schilling ended a five-inning scoreless drought with a solo home run to left in the sixth.
Alex Bee blocked a pitch and threw out Bryce Burdette attempting to steal second. Echelmeier induced a grounder to shortstop Devon Morrill to end the inning.
Sedalia’s win Tuesday ends a six-game homestand in which the Bombers went 5-1. After begining the season 1-5, the Bombers have climbed within a 1/2 game back of the current North Division leaders, the Chillicothe Mudcats.
Sedalia begins a five-game road trip Thursday beginning in Chillicothe. They return home Monday, June 20.
Craig McAndrews said the Bombers will have an off day tomorrow.
“I told them I don’t want to see them,” McAndrews said. “It’s been 100 degrees for a week. I know they’re tired.”
Tuesday, McAndrews resigned from his head coach position at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. He said his current occupational status will not interfere with his current Sedalia Bombers position this year or next.
