Washburn Rural baseball coach Jay Mastin speaks after wins over Topeka High
Washburn Rural baseball head coach Jay Mastin speaks on team’s doubleheader win over Topeka High on Tuesday.
Washburn Rural (15-11) needed everyone to perform at their best to seal a spot in next week’s state tournament. Their efforts were rewarded with a 1-0 win over Campus (19-7) in the regional title game on Thursday, May 22.
The two teams were deadlocked with zero runs apiece after seven innings. With two outs in the eighth inning, Austin Ditch drilled a double to right field to give the Junior Blues hope. On the following at-bat, Nate Selm delivered in a clutch spot. The junior singled on a line drive to bring home Ditch for the only run of the game.
“We had outstanding pitching performances, a few key defensive plays and we put together two timely hits when we needed them last night,” Washburn Rural coach Jay Mastin said.
It was a brilliant pitching performance from Mastin’s two ground-ball pitchers. Isaac Ansley put together a seven-inning outing where he gave up seven hits and one walk. Most importantly, he did not allow a run while striking out two batters. In the final inning, Tyler Edmiston closed the door on Campus, earning the save.
“I’m really proud of this team and how they competed throughout the season,” Mastin said. “We played a very challenging schedule and to see it pay off with a trip to the 6A state tournament is very exciting.”
In the first round of regionals, Washburn Rural downed Wichita North 4-2 earlier in the day. The two wins in regionals came on the heels of five straight defeats. The Junior Blues are peaking at the right moment.
The Class 6A state tournament will be held at KU’s Holland Stadium. The Junior Blues will face No. 1 Lawrence Free State (25-2) at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 29.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
