Wichita (58-38) got off to a hot start in the first two innings against Salina starter Connor Bach (2-8), who walked eight over his four frames of work. It was Mittelstaedt who got the scoring started by shooting a two-run single through the left side in the first inning. Bach’s control began to waver in the second, when he walked five Wingnuts hitters, including Brent Clevlen, Mittelstaedt, and Martin Medina with the bases loaded to give the Wingnuts a 5- 0 lead.

Salina (18-79) began to crawl back with a run in the top of the fifth off Wingnuts starter Jordan Cooper (8-2), as Jesse Baker grounded an RBI single to make it 5-1. Three more Stockade runs crossed the plate in the sixth, with Cody Coffman, Jordan Caillouet and Kewby Meyer each driving home a run to trim the Wichita lead to 5-4.

The Wingnuts got a big insurance run in the bottom of the inning, as Mittelstaedt singled, stole second, and raced around to score on Medina’s RBI knock to extend the advantage out to 6-4. Then Wichita put things away for good with four runs in the seventh, including a two- run blast off the bat of Stringer and a Mittelstaedt run-scoring triple.

Josh Goossen-Brown and Mike Devine each produced a scoreless outing in relief before Salina scratched out two runs in the ninth off Seth Harvey to produce the game’s final margin.

The Wingnuts and Stockade are back at it on Saturday night for game two of their series, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05. Eddie Medina (8-3, 3.30) gets the start for Wichita, while Salina counters with fellow righty Jordan Cummings (1-6, 7.02). All the action will be broadcast on 1410 AM/93.9 FM, and at americanassociationbaseball.tv.

For information on tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.

Photo Credit: Ed Bailey/Wichita Wingnuts