Around the Horn

Let's go "Around the Horn" with Salina Ortho, Kansas Pregame's look at some of the top baseball stories from across the state, presented by Central Kansas' largest Orthopedic's Practice, Salina Ortho.

Goodland senior pitcher Cole Linton recorded his 300th career strikeout in a loss to Scott City last night. Linton struck out 15 in seven innings but the Cowboys would lose 4-3 in extras. It was the first game of a doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Beavers on a night when the Cowboys were plagued by errors, commiting a total of six in the two games - four in the first, and two in the second. The Cowboys fell to 2-10 on the season, but Linton continues his strong senior campaign before heading off to Cloud County Community College to continue his baseball career beyond high school.

Find a complete recap of the games from Western Kansas News at this link (https://www.westernkansasnews.com/2024/04/91569-dxngol/) and check out our Spring Edition feature on Linton below:

Goodland is coming off an 18-5 campaign punctuated with a second consecutive trip to the 3A state tournament. While they lost 3-2 in the first round to eventual third place finisher Santa Fe Trail, it was still a memorable season for a big group of seniors to go out on.

Time for the Pokes to ride into the sunset after graduation? Nope.

“The Goodland Cowboys had one of their best seasons in school history,” head coach David Avila said. “Our returning starting pitchers – Cole Linton, Kacen Sederstrom and Manual Gonzalez – made a huge impact. There is a good chance we will be back in Manhattan for the state tournament. We lost six seniors, but are gaining several freshmen and returning players from last year.”

Gonzalez, a senior coming off a 3-1 season with a 4.20 ERA and two saves, and Sederstrom, a junior that was 7-4 with a 0.626 ERA and two saves, both were key for the Cowboys last season and earned All-League honors in the field.

Meanwhile, serving as the team’s ace is Linton, who was 7-0 with a 1.105 ERA, a save and a school record 84 strikeouts in his junior season.

The two-time All-State pitcher is also a three-time All-League selection and also holds the school record for single game strikeouts with 19.

“I felt last season was my best individual season I have had so far,” Linton said. “I accomplished a lot of my personal goals I set for myself but more importantly, met a lot of our team goals. Even with missing some games because of injury I never felt my confidence has wavered and I feel that helped me play the best I could when it mattered late in the season and into the postseason.”

Linton’s injury occurred as a batter, when a pitch he attempted to move out of the way of caught his wrist. Initially doctors thought it was fractured, but a second opinion clarified it as a deep bone bruise and the junior was able to return within weeks.

The junior soon returned to action, something his teammates and coaches knew he would do as soon as he could, given his love of the game.

“Cole epitomizes the spirit of baseball with his unparalleled work ethic and leadership,” Avila said. “As the cornerstone of his team, his passion for the game is evident in every play and every moment on the field.”

Since the end of last season, Linton has been hard at work, playing through the summer and fall with near constant workouts preppring for his last go-round.

“Our number one goal is to get back to Manhattan for state,” Linton said. “We’ve competed there the past two years and left each time with a bitter taste in our mouths so getting back and getting rid of that feeling is our main goal. We will also be a very young team after losing quite a few key seniors last year so just having the confidence we can compete with anyone is huge for us this year.”

Along with their roles in the rotation, the returning trio of pitchers are key at the plate, with Linton batting .306 with 11 hits, 10 RBIs, eight stolen bases and 12 runs scored, Gonzalez at .378 with 28 hits, a home run, 19 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, and 28 runs scored, Sederstrom at .384 with 28 hits, nine RBIs, nine stolen bases, and 24 runs scored, and sophomore Braylon Mull back to fortify the lineup after going .265 with 13 hits, 10 RBIs, eight stolen bases, and five runs scored.

Linton, who will play for Cloud County Community College next season, hopes to help sheperd the young group around the four returners.

“I am going to be the best leader and mentor for everyone on the team I can be,” Linton said. “That is one of my goals every year but this year especially being a senior and having quite a few underclassmen on the team, and just making sure I remind everyone of our team goals and to stay focused on them.”

And by Coach Avila’s judgment, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better leader.

“His love for baseball isn’t just about playing the game; it’s about living it, breathing it, and giving it his all to ensure that, at the end of the day, his team stands a step closer to triumph.”