GRAND ISLAND — Lincoln East came away with a 3-1 Heartland Athletic Conference victory over Grand Island in a battle of unbeatens Monday at Ryder Park.
The Class A No. 2-rated (Omaha World-Herald) Spartans broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning when Lewis Cockle hit a two-run home run to left field. Leading 2-1, Lincoln East (7-0) added an insurance run in the sixth as pinch runner Dele Odulate scored on Kalai Larsen’s RBI single.
The Islanders (3-1) scored their lone run in the bottom of the fifth. Sam Dinkelman’s RBI double plated Trent Verplank, cutting Grand Island’s deficit to 2-1.
The Islanders, who were outhit 9-6, left eight runners on base and lost runners via a pickoff and had another caught stealing. Grand Island had the tying runs in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Lincoln East closer Joey Senstock got a groundout to end the game.
Verplank (2 for 2 with a run scored) and Dinkelman (2 for 4 with a RBI double) led Grand Island at the plate. Grayson Sack and Gage Gannon also had base hits for the Islanders.
Larsen was 2 for 3 with a RBI and Brodie McIntire was 2 for 2 for the Spartans.
Grand Island starter Brock Cushing struck out four, walked three and allowed six hits and two earned runs in five innings in the loss. Dinkelman pitched two innings of relief, striking out two and giving up three hits and an earned run.
Lincoln East starter Jack Ohler pitched five strong innings to earn the win, striking out three, walking none and scattering six hits. Senstock allowed no hits and zero runs over the final 1 2/3 innings to earn the save.
Grand Island returns to action Thursday with a rescheduled contest at Millard South. The Islanders are back home on Friday to host Fremont.
Lincoln East 3, Grand Island 1
Lincoln East (7-0) 000 201 0—3 9 1
Grand Island (3-1) 000 010 0—1 6 0
W—Jack Ohler. L—Brock Cushing. 2B—Grand Island, Sam Dinkelman. HR—Lincoln East, Lewis Cockle.
