Evan Kowalski has superb day in key district win over Noble

Sophomore Evan Kowalski was perfect at the plate in Noble and was impressive on the mound as Guthrie picked up a big 6-5 district win in Noble on Monday evening.

Kowalski went 4-4 at the plate with three singles and a double to help guide the Jays offense, who pounded out 11 hits and six runs. He was equally impressive on the mound by pitching into the seventh and picking up his fourth win (4-0) of the year in five starts.

Tyler Kisner earned the save by recording the three final outs.

Guthrie improves to 12-2 overall and 4-1 in district play. Noble drops their record to 11-3 and 6-1 in district play. The Jays and Bears are tied for second place in the district with each school with one loss. Shawnee remains unbeaten and atop the 5A-1 standings.

Noble jumped out to a first inning 2-0 lead with a blast from Michael Murphy, who sent a 2-0 fast ball over the left field fence.

The Jays tied the game in the third inning with a two-RBI single from Braden Davenport to plate Camden Wilcott and Troy Branson, who was a courtesy-runner for Dalton Graybeal, who started the inning with a lead off double.

Guthrie took the lead for good with four runs in the fourth inning. Wilcott delivered a RBI double and Jeremiah Blackmon and Cal Davis each delivered RBI base hits. Kowalski and Kisner helped set the table by adding base hits in the frame.

As expected, Noble would not go away quietly.

The Bears picked up two runs in the fifth to pull within two runs, 6-4, before adding another run in the seventh. Noble left the game-tying run at second base to end the game.

Both teams will square away again on Tuesday when Noble makes the return trip to Squires Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. and can be heard live on Guthrie Sports Page.