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SALINA —
Nothing seemed to go right for the Pittsburg baseball team in their Class 4A state tournament game Friday night against Mulvane.
The Wildcats of Mulvane scored 15 runs on 15 hits and seven Pittsburg errors and Pittsburg managed no hits on Mulvane starting pitcher Connor Dempsey during a 15-0 run-rule contest over in three innings.
“It’s just tough,” Pittsburg head coach Mike Wilbert said. “Sometimes baseball can be cruel. It’s a great game but sometimes it can be cruel as well.”
Pittsburg senior pitchers Broc Bennett and Joe Wimmer faced 31 Mulvane hitters — seven in the first, seven in the second and 17 in the brutal third inning.
Bennett pitched and the Pittsburg defense fielded their ways out of jams in the first and second innings, as the Wildcats managed three runs on seven hits and left five runners on-base, three in the first and two in the second. However, Pittsburg discombobulated in the bottom of the third. Mulvane scored 12 runs on eight hits and seven Pittsburg errors. For example, two errors — both throwing errors — turned an Austin Duncan sacrifice bunt into a three-run play. With two outs, Mulvane scored nine more runs.
“We just didn’t play well tonight,” Wilbert said. “There’s no other way to say it. Give Mulvane credit. It’s a tough way to end it. You learn how to win and you learn how to lose as well. That’s part of the game and that’s part of life.”
Pittsburg (16-6) ends its season in devastating fashion but Wilbert looked on the bright side of a season which resulted in the first state trip for Pittsburg since 2008. The Purple Dragons shared a Southeast Kansas League title with Iola and Independence and won a regional title on its home field over Baxter Springs.
“I told these kids I am proud of them,” Wilbert said. “They just have to get rid of this one. We had a great run. We did things right. They’ll remember this one for a long time. Hopefully, they’ll remember all the good times. They had a great season.”
After the game, his players gave Wilbert a signed batting helmet for being their coach during his final season at the helm of Pittsburg baseball. Wilbert announced his retirement to his players earlier in the season.
Nothing seemed to go right for the Pittsburg baseball team in their Class 4A state tournament game Friday night against Mulvane.
The Wildcats of Mulvane scored 15 runs on 15 hits and seven Pittsburg errors and Pittsburg managed no hits on Mulvane starting pitcher Connor Dempsey during a 15-0 run-rule contest over in three innings.
“It’s just tough,” Pittsburg head coach Mike Wilbert said. “Sometimes baseball can be cruel. It’s a great game but sometimes it can be cruel as well.”
Pittsburg senior pitchers Broc Bennett and Joe Wimmer faced 31 Mulvane hitters — seven in the first, seven in the second and 17 in the brutal third inning.
Bennett pitched and the Pittsburg defense fielded their ways out of jams in the first and second innings, as the Wildcats managed three runs on seven hits and left five runners on-base, three in the first and two in the second. However, Pittsburg discombobulated in the bottom of the third. Mulvane scored 12 runs on eight hits and seven Pittsburg errors. For example, two errors — both throwing errors — turned an Austin Duncan sacrifice bunt into a three-run play. With two outs, Mulvane scored nine more runs.
“We just didn’t play well tonight,” Wilbert said. “There’s no other way to say it. Give Mulvane credit. It’s a tough way to end it. You learn how to win and you learn how to lose as well. That’s part of the game and that’s part of life.”
Pittsburg (16-6) ends its season in devastating fashion but Wilbert looked on the bright side of a season which resulted in the first state trip for Pittsburg since 2008. The Purple Dragons shared a Southeast Kansas League title with Iola and Independence and won a regional title on its home field over Baxter Springs.
“I told these kids I am proud of them,” Wilbert said. “They just have to get rid of this one. We had a great run. We did things right. They’ll remember this one for a long time. Hopefully, they’ll remember all the good times. They had a great season.”
After the game, his players gave Wilbert a signed batting helmet for being their coach during his final season at the helm of Pittsburg baseball. Wilbert announced his retirement to his players earlier in the season.
