HUENFELD BREAKS RBI RECORD IN SPLIT WITH GARDEN CITY

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

GARDEN CITY – Cru Huenfeld broke the Hutchinson Community College single-season RBI record on Wednesday as the Blue Dragons split a Jayhawk West doubleheader at Williams Stadium.

Huenfeld hit a three-run home run to break the record in an 18-3 victory in Game 1 of the four-game series. The Broncbusters rebounded to win the nightcap 11-8.

The Blue Dragons are now 41-13 overall and 23-7 in the Jayhawk West. Hutchinson is locked into the No. 2 spot in the league after Cloud County swept Seward County on Wednesday. Garden City is now 22-32 overall and 12-18 in the league.

Huenfield went 3 for 4 with a double and his 21st home run of the season. His three RBIs in Game 1 gave him 89 for the season, which broke the old record of 87 shared by Caden Doga and Bobby Morgenson, set in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Huenfeld's 21st home run tied Austin Callahan (2021) for third on the Blue Dragon single-season home run list.

GAME 1 RECAP – Hutchinson 18, Garden City 3
The Blue Dragons pounded out 15 hits, including three home runs in Game 1. 

In addition to Huenfeld's big game, Jackson Schanuel and Diesel Purcell had four RBIs each. Schanuel was 3 for 5 with a double and three runs scores. Purnell was 2 for 4 with a two-run single and two-run home run.

The Blue Dragons led 6-3 after six innings and then erupted for 12 runs in the seventh inning. It was the fourth inning this season where the Dragons scored 10 or more runs. The Dragons sent 16 batters to the plate in the inning. Schanuel and Purnell had two hits each in the seventh inning. 

Starting pitcher Wes Lyerly improved to 7-2 overall with six innings of work. Lyerly struck out five and walked one while allowing five hits and three runs, only one was earned. Kolby Heskett pitched the seventh inning.

The Dragons scored three runs in the first inning on a two-run Schanuel double and a sacrifice fly from Eli Duncan. The lead grew to 6-1 in the fourth when Anthony Mazza hit a two-run homer to extend his current hitting streak to 14 games.

GAME 2 RECAP – Garden City 11, Hutchinson 8
The Blue Dragons led 2-0 after two innings, but Garden City scored 10 runs from the third through fifth innings to take command of the game.

Jordan Kuhnau hit his 21st home run of the season, which tied Huenfeld and Callahan for third on the single-season home run list. Kuhnau went 2 for 4 with a double, homer, two runs and two RBIs to lead the Blue Dragons. 

Hutchinson out-hit Garden City 15-13.

Purcell went 3 for 5 with three singles, a run scored and an RBI to lead the Blue Dragons. 

Aidan Marien, Schanuel, Huenfeld and Finn Hochstein had two hits each. 

Merek Yeager (6-2) took the loss. Five Blue Dragon pitchers gave up 13 hits and 11 earned runs.