[ By STEVE CARPENTER ]

[ BLUE DRAGON SPORTS INFORMATION ]

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Freshman Zane Schmidt hit a walk-off home run and tied a team record with one swing of the bat on Thursday.

Schmidt hit a two-run game-winning home run to complete an improbable comeback for the Hutchinson Community College baseball team as the Blue Dragons rallied with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Garden City 8-7 in the opening game of a four-game Jayhawk West series at Hobart-Detter Field.

Jake Bunz then pitched seven strong innings and Zach Baxley’s two-run home run in the fourth inning was the difference as the Blue Dragons defeated the Broncbusters 3-1 in Game 2.

Taking the first two games of a Jayhawk West series for the first time this season, the Blue Dragons improve to 18-12 overall and 9-5 in the Jayhawk West. With Seward County’s sweep of Barton on Thursday in Liberal, the Blue Dragons and Cougars are now tied for first place in the Jayhawk West. Garden City falls to 17-11 and 3-7 in the Jayhawk West.