by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington Crusader baseball had a long but exciting Saturday by traveling to Kansas City and sweeping a triangular with Kansas City Turner and Arkansas City.

The Crusader would beat Turner 8-2 in the opening game before winning an exciting 6-5 come-from-behind victory over Arkansas City in extra innings.

The Ark City game ended with Wellington executing a squeeze play in the top of the ninth. Then Wesley Gilmore made a sliding catch to end it in the bottom half of the inning.

Wellington ended the regular season at 8-12 and will now prepare for the Class 4A Regional tournament in Winfield on Monday, May 17 against Mulvane, Rose Hill and the host.

The Crusaders opened the triangular against host Kansas City Turner and built a 2-1 lead in the top of the first after Cameron Bartelson hit a two-run double. Then in the third Wellington added three runs on a Wesley Gilmore two-run double.

Wellington would add a run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth to secure the six-run victory.

Cade Phelps had an outstanding day on the hill throwing a one hitter in seven innings pitched. He also had five strikeouts while walking five.

Bartelson was on fire with three doubles in the game. Wesley Gilmore had one. Bartelson was 3-of-4 an had two RBIs.

Wellington accumulated nine hits in the game. Both teams had three errors.

Wellington then battled Ark City between two south-central Kansas baseball teams playing in Kansas City.

This was a dandy of a game featuring more drama than an episode of Game of Thrones.

Wellington opened with a 2-0 lead when Connor Phelps belted an RBI triple in the top of the first and then coming home on another triple – this one by Therin Frame.

Ark City added three runs in the bottom of the third and added a home run in the fourth inning to take a 4-3 lead. Going into the top of the seventh, the Crusaders were down 5-3, but this was their day. They scored two runs and pushed this game into extra innings.

Then in the top of the ninth with Connor Phelps at third, Bartelson would bunt him home to give Wellington a 6-5  lead. Wellington would hold onto victory.

Chantz Daugherty had a sensational day on the mound allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five, walked one and gave up four hits.

Ark City would out-hit Wellington in the game, 10-7. Bartelson had a double going with Phelps and Frame’s triple.

Follow us on Twitter.