Cloud County takes series opener

By Mike Pilosof

Photo by Adam Shrimplin

Concordia, KS-Garrett Redden homered, Giordano Mezzomo struck out nine, and Cloud County squeaked by Garden City, 4-3 on Friday afternoon. The Broncbusters dropped their fifth straight, falling to 10-23-1 overall and 3-10 in conference.  

Garden City starter Guillermo Gelpi labored through 4 2/3, allowing four runs on five hits including Redden's two-run jack in the third that gave the Thunderbirds a 3-0 advantage. Alexander Diaz followed with a double down the first-base line, and Cloud County had a 4-0 lead.

The Broncbusters finally broke through in the fifth. Sage McMinn doubled to left-center, Jake Wiley added a bunt single, and Joey Bonfiglio ripped a two-run base hit to pull Garden City within one. Three batters later, Will Gardner smoked a single to right, which eventually brought Bonfiglio around on an error by Redden. But with a chance to tie the game, Dylan Garcia lined into an inning-ending double play.

That's where the offense stalled as Chris Finnegan's team was retired in order in the sixth and seventh.

Gelpi dropped to 1-3 for Garden City, striking out four and walking four. Marlow and Wiley each collected two hits.

Mezzomo yielded three runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings for Cloud County, which improved to 29-8 overall and 12-5 in the Jayhawk West.