Mattison Hamilton of the Labette Cardinals fields a grounder and throws to first base for an out during Monday’s series against NEO A&M at Labette Community College.
For the second time in three days, the Labette Cardinals overcame a massive deficit en route to salvaging a series split against Division I NEO A&M on Monday.
After dropping Game 1, 11-3, the Cardinals came back from down 8-0 to win 13-8 in Game 2.
Labette swept Southwestern on Saturday in a game the Cardinals trailed 6- 0 and 11- 6.
“We very easily could’ve just moved on after we got beat in the first game,” Labette head coach Ryan Phillips said. “We went down again, 8-0. But they showed the gumption and heart and desire to be really good. We have the opportunity to be great all the time, so seeing those big losses can be frustrating. They shouldn’t happen. We’re a really good team when we come out and decide to do the little things.”
Defensive miscues plagued the Cardinals in Game 1 and the first two innings of Game 2 on Monday — in total, a dozen unearned runs crossed the plate for NEO A&M.
“We didn’t have a miracle cure,” Phillips said. “They’ve prepared. We’ve taken thousands of reps. They just can’t make so much out of one play. They just need to take it one play at a time and not let things get into their head. That creates more problems.”
Jaden Jordan’s bat remained red hot for the Cardinals as the first baseman tallied two home runs and five RBIs in the series.
Labette’s first baseman now has nine home runs on the season.
“We’ve got to keep her mentality the same,” Phillips said. “We can’t have her press to try to be the person. She needs to trust the batters behind her. Teams will keep watching film to find holes in her swing. But she’s seeing the ball really well. She hits off-speed pitches hard. She just does her job to score runners.”
Taylor Palmer ate the loss in Game 1, allowing seven hits and six runs, albeit just two earned, over 2.1 innings of work.
Hailey Presley got the win in relief in Game 2, throwing six frames with four strikeouts and no earned runs.
“She’s doing a great job keeping hitters off balance,” Phillips said. “She has the best off-speed stuff on our staff. She moves the ball really well and her changeup makes her a detrimental pitcher for offenses.”
Labette got production from its entire lineup offensively in Game 2 as the Cardinals tallied a dozen hits.
The Cardinals showcased its aggression with small ball and baserunning in the Game 2 win.
“We give ourselves opportunities by doing our jobs with the short game,” Phillips said. “It makes defenses have zero idea what’s coming and they’ll either play out of position or just unaware of what’s going on.”
The series split moved Labette’s record to 5-11 on the season.
Up next
Labette hosts Butler on Monday then begins KJCCC play on Thursday at Johnson County.
