Perry-Lecompton baseball experiences heartbreaking loss in regional opener against Silver Lake

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports, File Photo

Perry-Lecompton baseball head coach Kent Houk consoles Rawlin Welch after a tough time on the mound during a game on March 27 at Perry-Lecompton High School.

Perry-Lecompton’s season came to an end in wrenching fashion on Wednesday as Silver Lake’s furious seventh-inning rally eliminated the Kaws in the opening round of regionals.

The Kaws led 4-1 entering the bottom of the seventh, and with one out in the frame, things began to unravel. Aiden Stricklin reached on a single to left field, followed by an infield error to put runners on first and second.

Kipton Kruger made the Kaws pay, lashing a two-RBI double down the right field line to slice the deficit to 4-3. Kruger’s base knock set the stage for a dramatic finish, as Drew Womack belted a walk-off homer over the right field wall for a 5-4 victory.
Perry-Lecompton (9-18) did its offensive damage early, plating four runs in the second.

Thomas Marcellino’s fielder’s choice groundout scored Kaleb Confer for a 1-0 Kaws’ lead. Colby Krein followed at the plate with a line smash to left field that scored Garrett Metcalfe.

Kayden Baker’s run-scoring double brought Krein home for a 3-0 lead. Baker ultimately scored on an error to increase the Kaws’ advantage to four runs.

Metcalfe was also effective on the mound, taking a shutout into the sixth. Silver Lake (14-11) eventually broke through via Dom Monhollon’s infield groundout that scored Dayne Johnson from third.

For the Kaws, Baker finished 2 of 4 with an RBI and a run scored — while Metcalfe, Marcellino, and Krein chipped in a hit apiece.

Metcalfe allowed five runs (four earned), nine hits, and a walk over six and a third innings of work.

Despite the stinging loss to Silver Lake, Perry-Lecompton made strides on the diamond during its 2026 campaign. After dropping eight consecutive contests to open the season, the Kaws bounced back with four straight victories and went .500 the remainder of the regular season.

Baker led the way at the dish with a sparkling .453 batting average. Across 108 plate appearances, Baker collected 43 hits — including a home run, 12 RBI, and 28 runs scored. He also notched a team-leading seven doubles and two triples.

Houston Habiger raked to the tune of a .359 batting average, with 15 RBI and 12 runs scored. Dayton Tucker (.313) and Confer (.306) also finished with batting averages above .300, while Hudson Buttram turned in a .291 batting average.

Metcalfe, the Kaws’ workhorse, struck out 42, while issuing 26 walks and allowing 28 earned runs over a team-leading 52 innings of work. He finished with a 2-2 record and a solid 3.76 ERA.

The Kaws are set to lose departing seniors Krein, Tucker, Metcalfe, Confer and Tuff Neitzel.