Month: March 2016

KCKCC softball home Friday during busy homestand

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Bouncing back with a doubleheader sweep after a four-game weekend split on the road, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s softball team is right back in action with eight games in the next seven days.

Home to Missouri Valley Friday at 1 p.m. at Steineger Field adjacent to Turner Middle School, the Blue Devils are also host to Fort Scott March 29, Ottawa March 30 and a University of Kansas Club team March 31.

The Blue Devils rebounded from two losses at Hutchinson with 13-3 and 12-3 home wins over Brown Mackie Tuesday. Brittany Gustin allowed just four hits and struck out five in the 5-inning 13-3 opener; Elizabeth Seimears followed with a 6-hitter in the nightcap.

Centerfielder Mekayla Guerrero paced a 10-hit attack in the opener with two singles, double and triple and three runs-batted-in while Megan Carlson singled and doubled. The Blue Devils scored three runs in each of the first three innings with Guerrero contributing singles in the first and second, a two-run triple in the third and a double in a four-run fourth.

‘Designated hitter Tiffany Killam led a 15-hit assault in the second game with a home run, two singles and three RBI while Morgan Oroke, Amy-Grace Wilson, Seimears and Guerrero each rapped a pair of singles. Killam put KCKCC ahead 1-0 in the first with a home run and then had two singles in a 9-run third that also included hits by Geena Harris, Wilson, Kaylynn Stratton, LaTisha Thomas, Guerrero, Killam and Oroke.

The Blue Devils opened the weekend with 11-10 and 11-8 wins at Hesston. After letting a 10-4 lead get away in the bottom of the seventh, the Blue Devils won the 11-10 opener in the eighth on a walk and back-to-back singles by Geena Harris and Megan Carlson. Trailing 3-1, KCKCC scored three runs in the sixth and six more in the seventh for the 10-4 led.

A grand slam home run by Harris highlighted the 6-run seventh. Harris also had three singles as did Oroke while Thomas, Carlson, Gustin and Stratton each had two hits. Gustin, who went the distance for the win, and Guerrero each drove in two runs with doubles.

The Blue Devils got home runs from Savannah Dungan, Tiffany Killam and Guerrero in the 11-8 nightcap. All three home runs came in a 5-run sixth that broke a 6-6 tie. Guerrero finished with five RBI and joined five other Blue Devils with two hits each – Thomas, Dungan, Harris, Seimears and Stratton.

The KCKCC bats were much quieter in 8-1 and 11-6 losses at Hutchinson. The Blue Devils managed just three singles in the 8-1 loss and three KCKCC hurlers were tagged for 21 hits in the second game. Guerrero drove in three runs with a double and triple and Wilson and Carlson each singled twice.

‘My Shelf to Yours’ book sale returns to KCKCC in April

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

The “My Shelf to Yours” book sale is returning to Kansas City Kansas Community College in April, raising funds for students on campus.

The sale is from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 5 and 7 in Room 2325 on the lower level of the Jewell Building on the KCKCC campus, 7250 State Ave. It will also be open 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 6. The sale is open to the public as well as students, staff and faculty.

The used book sale will be a benefit for students.

“The book sales are our biggest fundraiser, and I have seen how important it is for our students who don’t have the means to buy all their books for class,” said Sarah Jones, coordinator of the Intercultural Center at KCKCC. “But not only does the sale support our students financially, it provides an opportunity for them to get to know each other and work towards something together.”

All books will be $1 or seven books for $5, and proceeds benefit the student scholarship fund. The ICC uses the fund to distribute scholarships for textbooks and tuition to students who have a financial need.

In addition, there will also be beverages and snacks for sale as well as fashion jewelry and other local vendors. Those who attend the book sale and purchase at least $5 worth of items are automatically entered into a raffle for a KCKCC Bookstore Certificate.

Created in 2010, the goal of My Shelf To Yours is to promote scholarship, leadership, entrepreneurship and sustainability by selling donated used books both on-line and on-ground. The student-operated store has gained national recognition from eBay’s Green Team for recycling books to help fellow students who need assistance with purchasing textbooks and with college tuition. Since the event started almost seven years ago, more than 62,500 books have been donated from 320 individuals. This has helped 310 students with 778 textbooks and has awarded more than $16,000 in scholarships.

“My Shelf To Yours” donates any unsold book donations from the sale to local charities and organizations.

“The ICC book sale is very good for the school and the students,” said Dottie Huff, a student who volunteered with the “My Shelf To Yours” sale in the fall. “Through the book sale I received a scholarship that has helped me very much this semester. My Pell Grant is running out, so the help through ICC with my books, and the scholarship it is very much appreciated. Thank you for all you do for the students through the book sale.”

For more information, contact Brian Patrick at 913-288-7362 or by email at [email protected]
or Barbara Clark-Evans at 913-288-7504 or by email at [email protected].