A simple throw from shortstop to first base would have ended the top of the fifth inning. Instead, it was just beginning.  

In a microcosm of Manhattan High’s season, MHS’ throw was errant, letting the batter reach base and starting a eight-run, two-out rally.

“There were several things that were troublesome,” head coach Don Hess said, “but [the big one] was just the fact that our decision-making [was lacking]. We got routine outs that we didn’t take advantage of and you can’t do that. I mean, we had plenty of opportunities to stop their rally, and we didn’t.”

The eight-run fifth turned the tide in Washburn Rural’s (4-1, 4-1 Centennial League) favor, leading the Junior Blues to a 17-14 victory in the nightcap. The loss completed the sweep, as MHS (5-3, 3-3) fell 4-1 in the opening game Friday night.

Manhattan began the first game strong, using a leadoff walk from senior Carson Marsh in the second inning to jump out to an early lead. From there, the offense stalled, with the Indians leaving boys in scoring position in the first four innings.

“We had opportunities early in that first game to score and we didn’t,” Hess said, “and that’s just something that we have to impress upon our guys all the time is, you got to score. You got to score when it’s there and you got to be able to make the routine play when it’s presented to you, and we just struggled in those areas tonight.”

Washburn would respond in the third with a two-out single, tying the game. The Junior Blues took the lead on a two-out double off Marsh in the fifth inning and never looked back. Their lead grew in the seventh, scoring two runs off of walks from senior Ethan Kaus.

“The only thing that bothered me about that game [was that] we had an error in the last inning,” Hess said, “[and] a couple guys got on. In athletics, you got to play with a sense of urgency, understanding that if you have opportunities [take them].”

Though MHS lost both games, Hess was pleased with the starting pitchers.

“I thought at times,” Hess said, “they were both really good. Carson, again, threw a few too many pitches. Talon [Claussen, senior] was erratic, but you know, when he throws the ball over the plate, he’s really tough to hit. We just kind of squandered his opportunity there.”

Manhattan started the second game on fire, scoring 11 runs in the first three innings to take an 11-2 lead. Even so, Hess wanted to see more.

“We felt like we jumped out early,” Hess said, “and still, even though it was 11-2, we felt like there were some opportunities to add to that. We left guys on base early on that maybe could’ve helped us in the long run too.”

Hess’s fear was justified, as the Junior Blues began to crawl back in the fourth. Washburn scored four runs off Claussen, prompting the Indians to bring in senior Denton Tajchman for the fifth.

Tajchman got two early outs before the trouble started. An errant throw kept the inning going, snowballing into eight runs.

“To [Washburn’s] credit,” Hess said, “they put the ball in play, did a good job of hitting with two strikes and working the count. They did what they needed to do.”

The disastrous fifth gave Rural a 14-12 lead, one that it wouldn’t relinquish. In response, the Indians couldn’t get anything going at the plate.

“There were some signs,” Hess said, “but we still have a couple guys right now that are kind of feeling their way and hoping they’re getting hits rather than being aggressive at the plate. Those are things we’re going to have to continue to work on. You’re always going to go through some struggles, and you know, the important thing is how we respond.”

After Washburn extended its lead in the sixth, Manhattan would score twice in the seventh, but it was too little, too late. After the game, Hess’s message was simple: compete.

“[The postgame message] was just one that we just need to compete harder,” Hess said. “You got to want the bat in your hands, want the ball in your hands, want them to hit the ball to you, and just compete. Win, lose or draw, get up there and fight. There were times tonight that we did that and there were other times that we didn’t, but it’s all a learning experience.”

The Indians have a chance to put what they learned into practice Monday night, as MHS travels to Topeka to face off against Highland Park (1-2).