Errors prove costly in Rams’ 13-2 district loss to Harlan

Glenwood’s third match-up with Harlan could not have been more different than the first two.

In a June sweep of the Cyclones, the Rams’ pitching was sound and efficient and the defense, consistently on point.

In Friday’s third meeting, in the Class 3A, Substate 8 first round, it was Harlan that was efficient on the mound while the Rams wobbled on defense to the tune of four errors and seven unearned runs in a 13-2 Cyclone victory in six innings at AC Nuckolls field Friday night.

“We had four errors and we had too many walks and our pitch count was 140, that’s too many for six innings,” said Glenwood coach Kurt Schultz after the game. “We pitched better the first go around and we probably played better defense the first two games. I think we definitely hit the ball better then too.”

The Cyclones (16-15) got off to a quick start on Ram starter Kaden Anderson. After a pair of singles, an error, a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch netted an early 2-0 lead after an inning.

Glenwood would get on the board in the second when Nolan Little belted a two-out single to score Jason Colpitts, who led off the inning with a walk.

Harlan starter Alex Monson would settle in from there. The junior right-hander consistently got in front of the Rams’ hitters by mixing speeds and placing strikes. After plating their second inning run, Glenwood had just one base runner in the next three innings.

Monson finished the complete-game victory allowing five hits, no earned runs and six strikeouts.

thought his batters were impatient at the plate and that only increased the further the Cyclones extended their lead.

“He (Monson) was at like 58 pitches after four innings,” Schultz said. “That’s not very many. So we were jumping on a lot of first and second pitches.”

While the Rams’ bats struggled, Harlan had no such trouble. After pushing across two more runs in the third, they plated four in the fourth – all with two outs and three runs coming via two crucial Glenwood fielding errors. Isaiah Ahrenholtz’s double drove in two runs to make it 8-1.

The fourth inning rally ended Anderson’s day and seemed to take the win out the Rams sails.

“You have to keep playing,” Schultz said. “You never know what’s going to happen. You play by outs not by time so I don’t know.”
Jayme Fritts and then Chase Rounds relieved Anderson, who allowed seven hits, eight rights – just three earned – and struck out eight. Anderson took the loss.

Glenwood did string some hits together in the bottom sixth with Austin Patton and Colpitts both notching singles and Risto Lappala driving in a run on a fielder’s choice. But it was too little too late.

The loss closes Glenwood’s season with a record of 14-15.
Three seniors – Peyton Maxwell, Noah Kolle and Chase Rounds – played their last game for the Rams.

“I appreciate everything they did for this team this year and in their careers,” Schultz said. “They all worked hard and I appreciated that.”

Next season, Glenwood returns its top 10 hitters and three pitchers that combined to start 24 games this year.

Glenwood 6,
Sergeant Bluff-Luton 5, 8 innings

Trent Patton knocked in the game-winning run and earned the win on the mound in Glenwood’s 6-5 victory over Sergeant Bluff-Luton last Tuesday.

Patton had two hits, including his walk-off game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth to score Jayme Fritts. On the mound, the freshman came on in relief to pitch the final two innings, allowing two hits and three earned runs while striking out two.
The Rams had 11 hits on the night with Fritts leading the way with three hits and Kayden Anderson adding two of his own.

Carroll 10,
Glenwood 8

Glenwood’s seventh inning rally came up short in a 10-8 loss on the road at Carroll Monday night.

The Rams trailed 10-4 heading into the final frame before plating four runs.

Austin Patton had three hits to lead Glenwood. Nolan Little had two hits and drove in three runs and Tyler Harger added two hits.

Dreylen Schweitzer picked up the win after allowing six hits and two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of work.

Risto Lappala took the loss. The sophomore gave up four hits and seven earned runs while walking seven.