Bishop Ward baseball state runners-up

Senior Donovan Corrigan Jr. batted in the 6th inning. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Bishop Ward baseball team lost in the final round of the KSHSAA 4A Division 2 tournament to Iola, 11-6, bringing home a trophy that wasn’t the one they wanted, but that nearly every other team in Kansas would envy. The game was played at Dean Evans Stadium in Salina.

Ward got in a hole early when the Mustangs put up 6 runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Cyclones battled back in the third to pull within 1 run at 6-5. Senior Mikal Whisler’s 3-RBI triple was the key hit in the inning.

Iola extended its lead with 3 more runs in the bottom of the third inning, and although Ward scored again in the fourth, the Cyclones weren’t able to muster another comeback.

Ward finished the regular season 13-7, winning the Kaw Valley League title in their first year under head coach Matt Carpenter.

At the state tournament, Bishop Ward defeated Rock Creek High School of St. George, Kan., in the quarterfinals on Thursday, and then defeated Parsons High School in the semifinals earlier Friday.

Mikal Whisler hit a 3-RBI triple in the 3rd inning. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Javier Torres-Osuna (22) slid into home plate ahead of the throw from the outfield. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Junior Jacob Nevels fought back from 0-2 to earn a walk in the 4th inning. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
As the cloud of dust cleared, Senior Mikal Whisler celebrated his bases-clearing triple in the 3rd inning. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Vincent Esparza pitched in relief in the 4th inning. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Junior pitcher Vincent Esparza got some encouragement before the final inning. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Sophomore Zach Brown pitched in the third inning. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
Head coach Matt Carpenter addressed the team after the game. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)
The Iola Mustangs celebrated after the final out. (Photo copyright 2018 by Brian Turrel)

One thought on “Bishop Ward baseball state runners-up”

  1. Grandson Jordan Dominguez Jones plays first base. What an adventure to follow the team this year. Great accomplishments this season.

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