Bulldogs Storm Back in Thrilling Victory Over Blue Springs
/The Kearney Bulldogs delivered an electrifying performance Wednesday, September 3, rallying from a six-run deficit to topple the Blue Springs Wildcats, 9-6. The home crowd was treated to a display of resilience and power that epitomizes the Bulldog spirit.
On the mound, right-hander Reghan Lueken battled through adversity, pitching a complete game.
Things looked uncertain in the early innings as Blue Springs surged ahead, capitalizing on timely hits and Kearney miscues to build a 6-0 advantage by the middle of the third. The Wildcats’ Raygan Misenhelter sparked the scoring in the second with an RBI single, followed by a costly error that brought three more runners across the plate. Camryn Hoehns added an RBI double, and Mackenzie Turney launched a solo homer in the third, putting the Bulldogs in a deep hole.
But Kearney’s bats refused to stay silent. The Bulldogs began chipping away at the deficit in the bottom of the fourth, ignited by Morgan Pennington’s towering solo homerun to left. Moments later, Ellie Switzer electrified the ballpark with a two-run blast to center, narrowing the gap to 6-4 and shifting the game’s momentum.
With the Bulldogs’ confidence building, Brooke Paalhar delivered a standout performance at the plate, going 3 for 4 and spearheading the comeback. In the fifth inning, Paalhar crushed a solo homer to left, tying the game at 6-6 after a clutch double from Caroline Jury. The Bulldogs smelled victory.
The decisive blow came in the sixth, as Paalhar doubled again to set the table, and Alyssa Quick followed with another double, driving in the go-ahead runs. Before the inning was over, Kearney had stormed ahead, 9-6, and the dugout erupted in cheers.
On the mound, right-hander Reghan Lueken battled through adversity, pitching a complete game. Lueken scattered 11 hits across seven innings, allowing six runs (four earned), striking out two, and walking two. Her determination kept the Wildcats at bay when it mattered most.
Offensively, Kearney racked up 13 hits on the night. Paalhar, Switzer, and Quick each drove in two runs, while Pennington, Jury, and Kennedi Casey joined the multi-hit parade. The Bulldogs also flashed their defensive skills, turning a key double play to thwart a potential Blue Springs rally.
With the comeback win, the Kearney Bulldogs demonstrated tenacity, depth, and heart. The Bulldogs are now 4-2 on the season.
KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.