The Kansas City Kansas Community College baseball team faced the No. 25 Barton Community College Cougars in a three-game series over the weekend, resulting in three losses, with scores of 7-10, 2-1 and 9-4 on Friday and Saturday.
In the first game, KCKCC collected 14 hits, including four doubles and two triples, but could not overcome a five-run eighth inning from the Cougars. Donovan Johnson pitched 5.0 innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out three batters and maintaining a WHIP of 1.00. Carter Beach came in for relief, pitching 1.1 innings with three strikeouts but allowed three earned runs on three hits and three walks, resulting in a WHIP of 5.45. Dylan Blazer contributed 1.0 inning, conceding three earned runs on two hits with two walks and a strikeout, ending with a WHIP of 4.00. Caden Howell closed out the pitching efforts with 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and two runs, while striking out three and recording a WHIP of 2.50.
Braden Horn recorded three hits, including two doubles, while scoring two runs with a 1.600 OPS. Lennox Vann added a hit and an RBI double, contributing six assists in the field. Reid Oakley collected two hits and drove in two runs, bolstering the team's offense. Carlos Rivera scored twice with two hits, including a triple and stole a base to further his 1.200 OPS.
In the second game, KCKCC managed six hits, with Ian Woita hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning. Will Kennedy delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching six innings and allowing only one earned run on seven hits while striking out six batters. Kennedy faced 26 batters and maintained a WHIP of 1.17, effectively managing the game with no walks issued. Avery Oravetz contributed with one inning of relief, giving up one earned run on one hit and striking out two, closing out his appearance with a WHIP of 1.00.
Woita made a significant impact by hitting a home run, contributing one run and one RBI with an OPS of 1.667. Vann also showed strength at the plate, recording a double and posting an OPS of 1.000. Mason Hensley displayed patience and consistency, reaching base twice with two walks and collecting a hit, resulting in an OPS of 2.000.
In the final game, Barton capitalized on a four-run sixth inning to secure the win. Camden Brashear started for KCKCC, pitching five innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs while striking out seven batters. Kirby Super followed with a strong performance, pitching a hitless inning and striking out one. Cohen Epler and Tyler Parr each contributed an inning, with Epler allowing one earned run on two hits and Parr giving up two earned runs on three hits, each recording a strikeout. Tanner Warner closed with a scoreless inning, maintaining a clean sheet with no hits allowed and one strikeout.
Colton Kirkham recorded two hits, including a home run, and scored twice, achieving an OPS of 2.417. Holden Finley contributed significantly with two RBIs and led the defensive effort with five assists. Mason Hensley added a double and scored a run, finishing with an OPS of 1.167.
The next game for the Blue Devils is against the Fort Scott Community College Greyhounds at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. March 5 in Fort Scott, Kan.