The Emporia Spartan 16s picked up its first sweep of the season Wednesday against Andover at Soden’s Grove.
Emporia won the first game, 4-2, before rallying in the second game for a 6-2 victory. The sweep snapped the 16s’ six-game losing streak.
In game one, Caydrick Crouch’s 2-run single in the fifth inning broke a 2-all tie and was enough for the win. Crouch also pitched a scoreless seventh inning in the nightcap, had two strikeouts while earning the save.
Madden Seidl was the winning pitcher in game one going five innings allowing two runs on three hits and striking out nine. Andrew Ruxton pitched two scoreless innings allowing one hit and had four strikeouts.
Owen Ruge went 2-for-3 at the plate while Crouch drove in three runs.
Emporia had a 2-0 lead after the first inning before Andover tied things in the fourth.
In game two, Andover jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first but Emporia then began to rally. Max Rusco’s RBI triple made it 2-1 after three. The 16s then scored five runs in the fourth inning and never trailed the rest of the game.
Rusco went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Rusco said two wins are what the 16s needed.
Tanner Seidl earned the win in relief, going three innings and striking out five.
Coach Brady McAfee says the 16s had a different mindset when they arrived at Soden’s Grove for the doubleheader.
The 16s are now 5-8 on the season. Up next is a doubleheader against North Lyon County beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at Soden’s Grove.
