Hornets brought their bats for the second of a three-game homestand, this time against the Belton Pirates. Northtown banged out eight hits and scored six runs but fell to the Pirates 9-6 in a back and forth battle.

The Pirates jumped out to a three-run lead in the first as senior starter Andrew Krueger had a shaky start. But the Hornets plated two runs in the bottom of the frame thanks to back to back singles by Josh Mathew and Robert Morrow. Krueger would find his footing on the mound and finish with six strikeouts including striking out the side in the second.

The third inning started with three more runs scored by the Pirates, but NKC brought out the big blasters in the bottom of the frame scoring four runs on five hits - all singles by Aaron Campos, Frankie Taylor, Krueger, Dakota Harris and Owen Leinen. That left the game tied at six as both teams handed it over to the bullpen. Josh Mathew took over on the hill and was electric carving up Pirates batters in the fifth and sixth. He would finish with two K's on the day thanks to his wicked curveball. But the seventh proved to be the decider as Belton scored three in the top of the inning due ot an error and a string of hits.

NOTES:

• Josh Mathew continues his hot start with two hits today including a double in the seventh. He is four for seven so far in the season with only one strikeout.
• Every senior in the lineup notched a hit on Wednesday
• The Hornets don't have time to rest as they will face the Smithville Warriors Thursday afternoon at Macken Park at 4:00