Month: May 2018

T-Bones win, 3-2

The Kansas City T-Bones won a preseason game 3-2 at home Wednesday night at T-Bones Stadium in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
Girls from the Kansas City Area Athletic Club formed pyramids during Wednesday night’s T-Bones game in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)

The Kansas City T-Bones defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes 3-2 in the final game of a three-game series at T-Bones Stadium Wednesday evening in Kansas City, Kansas.

In the bottom of the first, Winnipeg shortstop Andrew Sohn reached base with a single to right field. An RBI double just inside the left field wall by Renaldo Rodriguez brought Sohn home for the first run of the game, giving Winnipeg an early 1-0 lead.

But the T-Bones came back with force in the bottom of the second, with a stellar inning that saw Kansas City put three runs on the board. Winnipeg left-hander Shane Dawson put the first runner on base with a walk to Kansas City’s Adam Brett Walker. Nick Torres then hit the ball sharply to the right field hole, advancing Walker to third.

Cal Towey followed by driving the ball down the middle, getting by second baseman Jose Sermo, scoring Walker and moving Torres to third. Nieto then jumped in with an RBI single to left field, scoring Torres making the score to 2-1 Kansas City. Angel Rosa then hit a ground ball to third that went through the glove of Winnipeg’s Josh Mazzola for an error, bringing home Towey for a 3-1 Kansas City advantage.

In the top of the fourth, Winnipeg’s Reggie Abercrombie reached first on an error by shortstop Angel Rosa and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice by Jose Sermo. A sharp line drive to left by David Bergin sent Abercrombie to third, followed by an RBI ground ball single to left by Grant Heyman that brought home the runner and made the score 3-2 Kansas City.

And that’s where the score would stay for the remaining five innings of the game, as the Kansas City pen locked down the Goldeyes. T-Bones right-hander Lucas Irvine pitched four innings allowing two runs on six hits with a pair of strike outs.

Francisco Gracesqui came in for Irvine in the fifth and tossed a scoreless inning. Tommy Collier retired all nine batters he faced, pitching three scoreless innings. Cody Winiarski finished the game in the top of the ninth, earning the save and chalking up the 3-2 Kansas City win.

The win Wednesday gives the T-Bones a 5-2 record in pre-season play. Kansas City will begin their regular season Friday evening against the Wichita Wingnuts at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita. The T-Bones home opener is set for Tuesday, May 22, at 7:05 p.m.

Season, group, mini-plans and nightly party suites are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Box Office at T-Bones Stadium. Call the box office at 913-328-5618 or purchase and print at www.tbonesbaseball.com. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
– Story from T-Bones

KCKCC student headed to Kansas Collegiate Law Enforcement Academy

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

One Kansas City Kansas Community College student will be spending part of the summer experiencing what it is like to be in law enforcement.

Ravion Kirkland, a freshman at KCKCC, was selected to attend the Kansas Collegiate Law Enforcement Academy this summer in Salina, Kan.

Designed by the Kansas Highway Patrol, the academy gives college students hands-on training to see what it takes to become a law enforcement officer as well as what a law enforcement career offers. Training opportunities include felony traffic stops, firearms, driving, defense tactics and team building exercises.

“As a police science major I have so many options on where I could use my degree,” Kirkland said. “My goal is to obtain all knowledge and experience during my college journey to weigh all my options before it’s time to choose a career.”

The collegiate law academy is open to any college student enrolled in a criminal justice program. In addition to the application, students must submit endorsements from a dean and criminal justice advisor and a law enforcement official. They must also write an essay as to why they would like to attend the academy.

“In the selection process for this prestigious academy, Ravion went against many others that applied. Many apply, but do not get accepted,” said Kevin Steele, coordinator and assistant professor for criminal justice programs at KCKCC. “She will do very well. Ravion is a leader, possessing great internal drive, while at the same time being humble and thankful for what she has. I have had the honor to instruct Ravion in course work at the college, and for the recent SkillsUSA State Competition. She took the silver medal in that state competition. A great accomplishment. Her performance at that event is also a compliment to her strong character.”

Kirkland’s desire to study criminal justice came from her grandmother, who retired from the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department three years ago. Before her grandmother retired, she was able to visit the department to see how things work behind the scenes. From inmates going through the booking and fingerprinting process to seeing officers using a stun gun and pepper spray, the experience had an effect.

“That experience has motivated me enough to learn the justice system and help my county as much as I can,” she said. “Criminal justice and the justice system itself has its negatives and positives just like any other career. But with everything going on around the country, I would like to be a part of a positive change in our justice system here in Wyandotte County.”

After completing her studies at KCKCC in spring 2019, Kirkland plans to transfer to Park University or the University of Kansas – Edwards campus to obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She said she would also like to continue gaining experience through internships in area police departments and law offices.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for all the doors that have opened for me so far here at KCKCC,” Kirkland said. “My senior year of high school, I took classes at KCKCC-TEC to obtain my Office Assistant Certificate. While in the middle of searching for a college to transfer to, my instructor gave me information about the scholarships KCKCC offered. I made an appointment to see Stacy Tucker and Kevin Steele, and they were very positive and straight to the point. They made me feel welcomed and wanted me to join the program. On top of that, I knew I didn’t want to go away for college right off so this has been one of the best choices I’ve made.”

Steele said he believes Kirkland will “do great” at the academy and will represent the college and her community in an exemplary fashion.

“We are very proud of Ravion,” he said. “The Collegiate Law program offers college students an exciting and unique view into what it takes to become a law enforcement officer, and what a career in the field offers.”