AURORA | With its playoff life hanging in the balance, the Smoky Hill baseball team reached down and found a little extra in its Centennial League battle at Cherokee Trail Friday afternoon.
Senior Jacob Scott had three hits in five at-bats and drove in five runs — including three on a go-ahead bases-clearing double in the sixth inning — and Cameron Stupansky recorded three hits and scored four times for the Buffaloes, who improved their chances in chase for one of seven at-large berths into the Class 5A state baseball playoffs.
Senior Trey Reineke picked up the victory with three gutsy innings of relief, working out of trouble at key spot in the sixth inning as Smoky Hill improved to 10-8 overall and 6-7 in league play with one game left, at 2 p.m. Saturday against Mullen, remaining.
Cherokee Trail, meanwhile, fell to 7-11 and 5-8 in the Centennial League.
Senior Ben John homered among three hits and drove in four runs and junior Michael Dziurgot finished with 3 RBI for the Cougars.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
SMOKY HILL 12, CHEROKEE TRAIL 9
Score by innings (r-h-e):
Smoky Hill 200 413 2 — 12 12 3
Cherokee Trail 303 021 0 — 9 10 2
WP — Smoky Hill: Trey Reineke (3 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs, 4 K’s, 1 walk); LP — Cherokee Trail: Jordan Smith (0 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned runs, 0 Ks, 1 walk); Smoky Hill hitting: Jacob Scott 3-5, 2B, 5 RBI; Cameron Stupansky 3-4, 2 2B, RBI, 4 runs; Trey Reineke 2-3, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 runs; Cherokee Trail hitting: Ben John 3-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, run; Michael Dziurgot 2-4, 3 RBI; Jordan Smith 2-4, 2B, run
