TABOR: Tabor men split pair with Newman
Although the season is still young, there again seems to be a small dilemma facing the Bluejays and coach John Sparks.
Fourteen games into the season against seven teams, the Bluejays have yet to sweep their opponents, being swept only twice themselves.
Fortunately, Tabor is still picking up victories, boosting its record to 5-9 on the year.
On Monday afternoon in Hillsboro, the Bluejays salvaged a split against the Kansas Newman Jets.
No discrediting the caliber of competition the Jets have faced.
They took on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last month in Tempe, Ariz., falling 15-5.
The Jets got the best of the Bluejays in the opener, holding Tabor scoreless until the bottom of the seventh to hang on, 6-2.
Tabor bounced back in the nightcap, using a two-run outburst in the bottom of the first to eventually outlast Newman 11-8.
The Bluejays could never get any offense rolling in the opener with the Jets firing a five-hitter.
Starting the early game on the mound, Shawn Bechtold lasted two innings despite holding Newman scoreless.
Newman pulled ahead 1-0 in the top of the first against reliever Gerald Goodale, and Tabor never recovered.
The Jets' Adam McNew was a menace to the Bluejays all day, going four for four in the opener and launching a home run in the first game.
Bluejay senior outfielder Casey Witt went two for three as Bechtold was charged the loss.
Tabor's bats warmed up in the nightcap as it doubled its first game's hitting display.
The Bluejays took a 3-2 lead closing out the second before Newman doubled them over 6-3 with a three-run third off junior Zavien Rivers.
Tabor battled back to knot the game at 6-6 heading into the fourth inning.
A combined five runs in the fourth and fifth innings allowed the Bluejays to hang on and give Rivers the win in three and a thirds innings.
Witt earned a save while Jess Tracy finished three for four and Tyler Marsh two for three.
On March 8 in Liberty, Mo., Tabor split with William Jewell, escaping the early game 8-7 and falling 9-2 in the finale.
The Bluejays suffered one of their two sweeps March 6 in Lindsborg against the defending KCAC champion Bethany Swedes, dropping 4-5 and 2-6 decisions, respectively.
Tabor enjoys the coziness of its home field the next two games starting Friday at 1 and 3 p.m. against the Ottawa Braves.
The Bluejays then face Sterling Tuesday in 4 and 6 p.m. starts.
