by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
A pair of Megans – Mason and Sumonja – celebrated their Sophomore Day at Kansas City Kansas Community College with matching one-hitters in a pair of 8-0 wins over Cottey College Friday.
A sophomore from Belton, Megan Mason allowed only one Cottey hitter to reach first base in the 8-0 opener; Megan Sumonja of Lawrence did not allow a hit after the first inning in the 6-inning 8-0 nightcap win.
The sweep evened the Lady Blue Devils’ season record at 20-20 heading into the regular season finale against a University of Kansas club team Sunday at noon and 2 p.m. KCKCC then will await first round pairings for the Region VI playoffs set to begin next weekend.
Mason faced the minimum of 15 batters in the 5-inning opener, allowing a 2-out single in the bottom of the fourth who was immediately thrown out trying to steal. Mason struck out five, walked none.
Hannah Bishop and Katherine Stringer each had three hits and Candice Jennings and Amy-Grace Wilson two apiece in a 14-hit KCKCC offense.
The Blue Devils scored the only run they would need in the second on singles by Stringer, Jennings and Wilson and then added four runs in the third. After a single by Bishop sandwiched between a pair of walks, Mikaela Hoffart singled in two runs and hits by Stringer, Jennings and Wilson scored two more.
The Blue Devils then closed out the win with three runs in the fifth. Stringer started the rally with a double and with two out, Sam Sudac doubled, LaTisha Thomas tripled and Bishop’s third hit ended it.
Sumonja struck out 11 in six innings in the second game. After giving up a first inning single, Sumonja allowed only three other base runners (two walks and hit batsman) and retired the final 10 hitters in a row.
Allison Kasick’s 10th home run of the season, a towering blast to centerfield, was the first of four straight hits for Kasick, a designated hitter from Basehor-Linwood. Kaylynn Stratton, Sam Sudac and McKenzie Hersh added two hits each.
KCKCC jumped in front with three runs in the first. After Stratton’s leadoff single, Bishop’s bunt single was thrown past first base and Bishop circled the bases before Kasick made it 3-0 with her booming home run.
The Blue Devils made it 5-0 in the second. After singles by Sudac, Hersh and Stratton loaded the bases, Kasick and Hoffart delivered run-scoring singles.
A walk and doubles by Hersh and Kasick highlighted a 2-run third inning and the Blue Devils closed out the game in the sixth on Kasick’s fourth hit, a walk and Stringer’s game-ending single.
Eleven sophomores were honored between games – catcher Amy-Grace Wilson, infielders Sam Sudac, Katherine Stringer, Candice Jennings and Allison Kasick, outfielders Hannah Bishop, McKenzie Hersh, Kaylynn Stratton and Meghan Smith and pitchers Megan Mason and Megan Mason.
