Gators fall to Kiowa, 4-2

Struggles at the plate cost the Pratt Gators as they lost to Kiowa 4-2 last night at the Green Sports Complex.
The Gators managed just three hits in the game and both their runs were unearned.
Kiowa got a pair of runs in the first inning before Gator pitcher Grant Bolen got two strikeouts to end the inning and strand three runners.
Kaden Evert’s infield single was Pratt’s only hit of the first inning as the Gators trailed 2-0 after one.
With one out in the top of the second, Bolen walked a batter but immediately threw to second base to catch the runner trying to steal.
In the bottom of the second, the Gators got a pair of runs thanks to errors by the Rebels.
Bolen got on base as Kiowa’s shortstop mishandled the ball, and he eventually stole home on a passed ball to get Pratt on the scoreboard.
With two outs, Cade Perez walked. With Kadence Riner at the plate, Perez stole second, third and then came home on another passed ball to tie the game at two runs each.
Kiowa finished the scoring with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Pratt held the Rebels scoreless over the final two innings to give themselves a chance.
But the Rebels made several good plays to keep the Gators from scoring in the bottom of the sixth.
Travis Theis walked and advanced to second on Landon Struder’s infield single, but Kiowa’s catcher caught Theis trying to steal third for the first out.
Evert then hit a grounder to the second baseman and was thrown out at first for out number two. The first baseman immediately threw to the catcher, who tagged Struder out to end the game.