Serving the High Plains

Logan and Gateway split two in 1A title rematch

In a rematch of last season’s Class 1A championship game, the Logan and Gateway Christian baseball teams split a doubleheader Friday at Roswell.

Logan, the defending 1A champ, won the opener 4-3, and Gateway took the nightcap 13-3, handing the Longhorns their first loss of the young season.

In the opener, Logan scored three in the sixth inning to take a decisive 4-2 lead.

Brock Burns went 2-for-3 batting with two RBI.

Park Strong, pitching four innings in relief, struck out five and allowed one run.

Logan coach Kyle Griffiths praised his team’s pitching in the first game, especially Strong’s.

Logan committed no errors, while Gateway committed four.

In the second game, Gateway jumped to a 5-1 lead early and scored a total of eight more runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

“Second game, we struggled to find the (strike) zone and got down early,” Griffiths said. “Gateway is a really good team and doesn’t make many mistakes.”

Burns, Kaeden Stoner and Mason Wallin each had two hits for Logan.

Izaiah Kneitz took the loss for the Longhorns, allowing five earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Logan’s record stood at 4-1 after Friday. Gateway’s was 2-3.

Logan 15, Elida 0

Logan blew open a close road game with 12 runs in the fifth inning during a 15-0 victory over Elida in the Tigers’ season-opener on March 21.

Diego Sanchez went 2-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and three RBI for the Longhorns. Aydin Kotara, Strong and Burns each drove in two runs.

Kaeden Stoner earned the victory for Logan, striking out eight while allowing three hits and two walks in five innings.