Ruiz Hits Grand Slam As Home Federal Runs Away from Hastings, 10-1

(Grand Island, NE) - Gabe Ruiz drove in five runs on two hits to lead Grand Island Home Federal past Hastings Five Points Bank 10-1 on Tuesday at Ryder Park. Ruiz hit a grand slam to left field in the third inning, scoring four runs, and walked in the first inning, scoring one.

Grand Island Home Federal got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Bryson Walker walked, Ruiz walked, Gavin Ruether walked, Hastings Five Points Bank committed an error, and Carson Washburn walked, each scoring one run.

A hit by a pitch extended the Grand Island Home Federal lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the second inning.

Ruiz hit a grand slam to left field in the bottom of the third for the Grand Island Home Federal.

Grayson Sack earned the win for Grand Island Home Federal. The starter gave up three hits and one run over five innings, striking out four and walking two. Ben Wibbels took the loss for Hastings Five Points Bank. The pitcher went one-third of an inning, allowing five runs (four earned) on zero hits, striking out one and walking seven.

Ruether paced Grand Island Home Federal with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, amassing nine walks for the game. Grand Island Home Federal was sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Brody Davidson had the most chances in the field with four.

Owen Ablott, Zane Thomsen, and Brennan Criss each collected one hit for Hastings Five Points Bank. Ablott went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in.

Grand Island is now 16-7 on the season and will next participate in the Mike Peterson Tournament in Lincoln starting on Thursday. Hastings is now 7-8-1 and will be at North Platte Wednesday night. 

In the junior's game, Grand Island Five Points Bank defeated Hastings Johnson Imperial Homes, 9-1. Grand Island is now 17-2 on the season.