Grand Island Splits A Pair In First Contest At Newly Remodeled Ryder Park

(Grand Island, NE) - The Grand Island Senior High baseball team would get to play the first two games at the newly remodeled Ryder Park on Saturday. The entire playing surface is now field turf.

Both teams were strong on the bump on Saturday, but Grand Island defeated Elkhorn North Varsity Spring ‘26 2-1. Grayson Sack started the game for Grand Island and recorded 20 outs.

Grand Island didn't take the lead until later in the game. The game was tied at one in the bottom of the sixth when Sam Schroeder hit a solo home run to left field.

Elkhorn North Varsity Spring ‘26 were the first to get on the board in the first when Ethan Asmus singled, scoring one run.

Sack grounded into a fielder's choice, which helped Grand Island tie the game at one in the bottom of the first.

Sack earned the win for Grand Island. The hurler surrendered four hits and one run over six and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking two. Garrett Ringenberg took the loss for Elkhorn North Varsity Spring ‘26. The starter went six innings, giving up two runs on four hits, striking out three and walking two. Gabe Ruiz collected the save.

Sack and Schroeder were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in one run for Grand Island. Schroeder led Grand Island with two hits in three at-bats.

Austin McMurtry, Quincy Grabenstein, Asmus, and Jake Janssen each collected one hit for Elkhorn North Varsity Spring ‘26. Asmus went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in. Elkhorn North Varsity Spring ‘26 were sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. McMurtry made the most plays with six.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Game Two) - Grand Island could not keep pace with Gretna East 6-1 on Saturday.

Gretna East got on the board in the top of the first inning after Colton Nicholson walked, Colton Kuhl grounded into a fielder's choice, and Jensen Albers singled to center field, each scoring one run.

Gretna East scored one run in the top of the fourth on an inside-the-park home run by Carter Woodson.

Drew Baratta earned the win for Gretna East. The righty gave up two hits and one run over four innings, striking out seven and walking three. Blake Caspar took the loss for Grand Island. The starting pitcher went five and one-third innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits, striking out two, and walking two.

Gavin Ruether, Ethan Mader, and Sam Schroeder each collected one hit for Grand Island. Grand Island didn't commit a single error in the field. Gabe Ruiz had the most chances in the field with nine.

Gretna East tallied nine hits in the game. Kasen Brown, Albers, and Carson Hermann each collected two hits for Gretna East. Albers went 2-for-3 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in. Gretna East were sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. J Stonebraker had the most chances in the field with 11.

Grand Island (17-7) plays at home on Monday against Columbus in their next game.