Due to rain in Garden City, the Liberal Rattlers played three games instead of four. They played two Saturday at Lightner Field and one Sunday at Fansler Field.
The Rattlers got off to a rough start Saturday afternoon against Gove County in a 10-2 loss. Liberal’s defense struggled in the loss committing five errors and Gove County only out-hit Liberal 8-7. Landon Martinez was 3-3 with a double and an RBI.
But the day brightened for the Rattlers in game two against the Finney County Blues in a 7-6 win. The Rattlers came out swinging scoring two in the first. The Rattlers faltered on defense in the third allowing five runs. Liberal scored in the bottom of the third to make it 5-3. The Rattlers tied the game with two in the sixth for a 5-5 score. The Blue took the lead back with one in the seventh. Liberal tied the game in dramatic fashion as the time limit was winding down in the game. Calvin Shackelford scored from third on a throw from the catcher back to the pitcher. Alex Schwindt walked and quickly stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With 1 on the time clock, Jackson Stanfield ripped a single which was tipped by the pitcher. Stanfield raced across first for the dramatic game winning hit and a 7-6 Rattler win. The Rattlers out-hit the Blues 8-7. The Blues committed five errors and Liberal had two. Alex Schwindt pitched six strong innings. Landon Martinez was 3-4 with a double and two runs. Calvin Shackelford was 2-3.
The Rattlers wrapped up the weekend with a 14-2 win over Chapman. Liberal scored two in the first and 12 in the second for the win. Landon Martinez was 1-2 with a grand slam. Bren Kappelmann was 1-2 with three RBI’s. Nathan Knelsen hit a double and drove home two. Manny Mendoza was 1-2 with two RBI’s. Nathan Knelsen pitched all four innings allowing one earned run.
The Rattlers are 7-11 and wrap up their season in Elk City Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
