The Dodge City baseball team lost it's first Western Athletic Conference match up to Great Bend on Tuesday. The first game of the double header swayed greatly in the Demons' favor as they won solidly 8-1. The second game of the double header was a different story as the Panthers returned with a vengeance giving Dodge City it's first loss in the WAC 3-2.
Dodge City came into the match up with the momentum and home field advantage. Sophomore pitcher Andrew Balderez pitched a complete game for the Demons and took care of business. Although Great Bend scored first, Dodge City junior Jordan Doan stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the first inning and slammed a Bryce Beck pitch over the left field wall. He had three RBIs and the first three runs for Dodge City.
The Demons continued to dominate and shut out the Panthers throughout the remainder of the game. Dodge City won the first game easily 8-1.
In between games the momentum shifted and Dodge City got caught on its heels. The Demons had to battle to stay alive in the second game.
Doan dominated the plate in the first game and then pitched a complete game in the second. He took control of the Great Bend offense with only three walks and five hits.
The Panthers struck quickly. Junior Matt Marshall hit a pop fly to centerfield but senior Connor Sell tagged up on third and scored their first run in the top of the first inning. Senior Jace Bowman followed with another pop-up over the head of Demon short stop Taylor Murphy allowing the Panthers second run.
Dodge City got its first run in the bottom of the third. Demon senior catcher BJ Tieben got under a pitch and was caught out in centerfield, but not before sophomore Austin Weiser slid into home plate.
In the bottom of the fifth inning Dodge City saw its comeback opportunity. Senior Damien Salem rallied the Demon offense with a double that bounced off of the left-center wall and scored Balderez, 3-2.
Both offenses were shut down in the seventh inning and Great Bend finished the second game with the win 3-2.
