By Dale Miller
dale.miller@theindependent.com

The Islanders earned a split against Millard North. After falling 12-6 in the first game, Grand Island used a five-run fourth inning to pick up a 7-5 victory.

A split is becoming a traditional outcome when the Islanders play the Mustangs.

"I think in the five years that we've played them, the only time there's been a sweep was last year when we were fortunate enough to win twice," Grand Island coach Rick Kissack said. "We've been fairly successful against them."

A combination of new and familiar faces led the Islanders to the win in the second game.

Junior Luke Farrar, a Lincoln High transfer, picked up the win while holding Millard North to two runs in three innings of relief duty. He also scored twice and drove in a run.

In the doubleheader, Farrar went 1-for-4 but walked four times and scored four runs.

"Our offensive MVP was Luke," Kissack said. "For his first games with us, he had great at-bats. He walked four times and did a great job getting deep into counts."

Farrar, who batted second in the lineup, focused on staying patient to keep the Islander offense going.

"I try to wait for the first pitch that's a strike," he said. "If it's there, I swing at it."

He was happy to be able to make a big contribution in his Islander debut.

"This is a pretty good group," Farrar said. "I wanted to do my part and show that I can do the things I say I can do."

G.I. veterans also played a big part in the win. Senior designated hitter Dalton Ryba hit a two-run homer to centerfield to put the Islanders up 2-1 in the bottom of the first.

Then a Millard North error with two outs in the bottom of the fourth led to five unearned runs to break up a 2-2 tie.

Senior Kash Kalkowski made the Mustangs pay with a bases-clearing double to account for the final three runs.

Kalkowski, a Nebraska recruit, then replaced Farrar on the mound for the final two innings. Millard North did get three hits off him and had the tying run on with one out in the seventh, but Kalkowski got a pair of fly-outs to right field to pick up the save.

"When you get to the sixth (inning) and have Kash coming in the game (to pitch), you've got a great chance," Kissack said.

Grand Island held a 4-3 lead after three innings in the first game but gave up nine unanswered runs to fall.

First baseman Jimmy Reed went 3-for-4 while designated hitter Brandon Tjaden hit a three-run home run to right centerfield in the bottom of the third.

Kissack liked the Islanders having a homer in each game.

"This is the first time in the six years that I've been here that we have the kind of team I like," he said. "We have big hitters up and down the lineup guys who can hit it out of the park. That's the style I like to play."

Starting pitcher Kirby Wells gave up four runs on nine hits in four innings. Nick Hines took the loss in relief while allowing three runs on two hits in one-third inning.

Ryan Scheetz limited Grand Island to two runs on one hit in 3 1/3 innings of relief to earn the win for Millard North.

Farrar felt it was an OK start to the season.

"Right now it's a little slow," he said. "We're getting to know each other. I think we're pretty sound. We'll be able to fly around once we know what people will do."

Millard North 021 133 212 16 1

Grand Island 103 000 26 8 1

WPScheetz (1-0). LPHines (0-1). 2BMN, Bence, Benson, Hobl. HRGI, Tjaden (1).

Millard North (1-1) 101 030 05 6 0

Grand Island (1-1) 200 500 x7 6 1

WPFarrar (1-0). LPRehmann (0-1). Sv.Kalkowski (1). 2BMN, Koehn. HRGI, Ryba (1).