MANHATTAN, Kan. — St. Mary’s Colgan seniors Brady Crossland and Brady Badart stepped up for their team during the big game Friday night against top-seeded Thomas More Prep at Tointon Family Stadium on the Kansas State campus.

Crossland earned the start and finished with a no-decision. He allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits with five strikeouts and six walks over four innings. Crossland finished at 95 pitches.

Badart got the win in relief and he pitched three scoreless and hitless innings with three strikeouts and two walks. Badart threw 52 pitches.

“Again, the mental toughness of being able to get outs in a tough spot,” Colgan baseball coach Mike Watt said. “Both of them. Brady Crossland threw a little more innings this year than Brady Badart, but they stepped in and took a role … they’re very confident in themselves and were able to get it done.”

“I haven’t finished in a while,” Badart said. “I knew that I was going to have to come in and help the team out any way that I can whether it was at shortstop or at pitcher. Watt called my name and I was ready to step up and do it.”

“Badart wanted it,” Crossland said. “You could tell. He performed and did a heckuva job. Proud of everyone and I can’t think this team enough.”

The Panthers used sophomore ace Gabe Brown and senior Jayden Brown during Wednesday’s 4-3 semifinal win against Frankfort. They were both unavailable to pitch against Thomas More Prep.

“We burned Gabe (Brown) on Wednesday, so we knew,” senior catcher Carston Simmons said. “We were playing video games (Thursday) and Coach Watt came in and told Cross that he’s got the ball in his hand. Ever since then, he was locked in. He didn’t really talk the rest of the night, to be honest. I knew something good was going to come out of that. Then, Brady Badart coming in and shutting the door, he did a great job for us.”

“I knew that I was going to pitch when Gabe went over his limit,” Crossland said. “I was nervous but I was very locked in. Carston said that I never talked to anyone, but I was locked in and glad that I got the job done. I’m proud of our team, proud of all the boys.

“With our defense, it’s real easy to pitch. When I get in trouble, I just take a deep breath and look at the guys around me and know they’re going to make a play and throw strikes and just compete.”

This sports reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/fund/support-local-journalism-project-fund