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The Lincoln Potters hosted the Medford Rogues for game two of a three-game series between the two former Great West League rivals on Wednesday night. The offense was more lively in this one with 20 combined hits between the two squads. The Potters took control early and never surrendered the lead, taking game two 6-4 and guaranteeing a series win over Medford for a second straight season.

The Potter offense came into Wednesday night’s contest with some momentum after Tuesday’s walk off, putting up four runs in the first two innings. JT Waldon (Folsom Lake College) opened up the scoring with an RBI double before Nolan McCarthy (Kentucky) drove him home with a two-run homer in the first. Trey Furrey (Oklahoma Baptist) drove another one home in the second with an RBI groundout.

Manager Ryan Stevens stressed the importance of the Potters getting off to a hot start during his postgame interview.

“That start was huge. I think we had a much better approach at the plate today and not trying to hit the big one. We tried to hit the ball hard and it paid off and you know, we did a lot of hard work before the game and the hitters are starting to catch on,” said Stevens.

The Rogues got on the board in the third but Lincoln answered right back with another RBI off the bat of Furrey. Medford made a push to come back in the fifth with three runs, but Lincoln added insurance once again, this time with an RBI single by Matthew Lee (UL Monroe). 

Bryan Green (UC Davis) earned the win for the Potters in 4.2 innings of work. Green found himself in a jam in the first inning with the bases loaded but got out of the jam without surrendering a run. Green gave up four runs, three earned, on six hits in the contest.

Connor Gibson (Northwestern Oklahoma State) entered in the fifth and gave a strong outing in his 1.1 innings of work. Gibson kept the Rogues off the board and struck out two in his appearance. 

Potter legend Lucas Wepf (UL Monroe) returned to Lincoln and earned the save in his first appearance, throwing the final three innings and shutting down any chance of a Medford comeback. Wepf struck out eight batters out of a possible nine outs.

“Lucas is a great pitcher. He has commanded three pitches, throws the ball hard, he's around the zone and it makes it tougher to hit,” said Stevens.”If you're a team and looking for a senior signing, you know Lucas is probably your guy for the draft. I expect a big future out there.”

The Potters go for the sweep in Thursday’s series finale. Stevens is confident in his team but noted that Medford will come out looking to salvage a game from its trip to McBean.

Asked what needs to happen for the Potters to come out with the win, Stevens said “we got to keep hitting, we got to keep it up and I think all the momentum in this dugout starts with offense. Our defense and the pitching feeds off that.”

You can find tonight’s box score here.