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A key defensive play was pivotal in Bonner Springs 4-3 victory over Perry-Lecompton on Monday.

In the top half of the ninth inning, Austin Anderson walked the Kaws' leadoff man. A sacrifice bunt allowed the runner to advance to second base. The next Kaw flew out to centerfield. Perry-Lecompton's next batter reached on an error by the Braves, leaving runners on second and third with two outs.

Kaws' pitcher Cody Amerine came to the plate and scorched a one-strike pitch back up the middle. The hit would have scored both runners if Anderson had not stuck out his left foot, like a hockey goalie making a kick save, and touched ball.

Instead of a two-run single, the ball deflected off Anderson and rolled a few feet towards first base. He was in visible pain, but limped over to the ball and threw out Amerine to end the inning.

"That was the best play I've ever seen or been a part of," Terrell said.

Other teammates agreed.

"That was an incredible play, it was awesome," Mills said. "Most guys would have quit on that play."

Anderson crumpled to the ground in pain as his teammates ran to congratulate him.

The play upset the Perry-Lecompton coaches and players causing them to shake their heads in disbelief.

If the hit would have gone anywhere else, it would have given the Kaws a 5-3 lead, and likely the victory.

In the home half of the ninth, leftfielder Chris Smith reached base on a single and stole second. Mills worked the count full and lifted a bloop single in between the second baseman and right fielder allowing Smith to scamper home for the winning run.

"We have character and we just persevere," he said. "Our team motto is 'No regrets.'"

Early game action

Braves pitcher Austin Anderson, fresh off an injury, came on in relief of Luke Terrell in the top of the seventh inning. He pitched them out of trouble preserving the slim one-run lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Anderson hit a one-out double off the fence in left center, and advanced to third base on a Kaws' wild pitch.

Braves shortstop Isaac Mills came to the plate and dropped down a perfect suicide-squeeze bunt, allowing Anderson to score from third to tie the game and send it into extra innings.

"Isaac getting that squeeze down and then delivering the hit to win it shows the confidence he is playing with right now."

The Braves play a doubleheader at Lansing at 4 p.m. Thursday.

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