Wyandotte County is under a winter weather advisory from Tuesday night through 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
There is a chance of freezing drizzle, mainly before 2 a.m., according to the weather service. The low tonight will be around 20, with a north northwest wind of 6 to 9 mph.
A light glaze is possible. Motorists should use caution, slow down and expect the possibility of slippery roads, according to the weather service.
Wednesday’s high will be near 25 with a north wind of 9 to 11 mph, the weather service said.
The temperature was 33 degrees at 11 p.m. Tuesday.
There is a chance of snow on Saturday night and Sunday, according to the weather service.
The weather has not been kind to Lana Ross in her first season as head softball coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
Snow, ice and cold has already forced postponement of three home games in February with no let-up in sight. The Blue Devils were able to work in a doubleheader against perennial power Crowder Community College in Neosho, Missouri, Crowder running its record to 10-0 with 7-1 and 8-0 wins Monday.
The inclement weather has not, however, kept the Blue Devils from early morning work on fundamentals under the watchful eyes of Ross and assistant Jenn Strohman.
Four sophomores return from the 2018 squad headed by Kaylee Arnzen, who led the Lady Blue Devils in virtually every offensive category including home runs where her 13 round-trippers placed her eighth in Region VI and No. 16 nationally heading into the NJCAA Division II playoffs. The Blue Devil leader in hitting at .451, Arnzen also led the team in hits (51), extra base hits (24), runs-batted-in (37) and slugging percentage (.894) as the designated hitter.
A native of Pampa, Texas, Arnzen will be in a new position this season – first base.
“She knows the game really well, picks up on the game quickly and will be a good leader at first base,” Ross said.
The other returning sophomores are outfielders Brittney Beck of Bushton, who hit .225 in 34 games last season; Paris Forshey of Bonner Springs, who batted .216 in 22 games; and pitcher Faith Maslak of Raymore, who pitched in 15 games, all in relief.
Maslak will be part of a four-person pitching corps that will also include freshmen Shaylun Grosstephan of Girard, Mackenzie Pinkerton of Chanhassen, Minnesota, and Hannah Redick of Shawnee Mission North, the starter at shortstop who will be used mainly in relief.
“All throw at different speeds to keep hitters off stride,” Ross said. “Shay moves the ball real well with good spin and great movement on her pitches. Mackenzie throws mostly curves and screw balls. Faith hits her spots well, almost too well. She throws too many strikes. She needs hitters to chase her pitches.”
They’ll be throwing to freshman Jennica Messer of McLouth with sophomore Brittney Beck of Bushton as backup. Beck will also see outfield duty.
Arnzen will be joined on the infield by sophomore Britney Smith of Basehor-Linwood at second, Redick at short and freshman Alaina Howe of Eudora at third.
“I think we’re solid up the middle,” Ross said. “Hannah Redick and Britney Smith are playing real well together. Alaina Howe came in as a shortstop but we had a need at third. She has a great backhand and good range, which allows our shortstop to play up the middle.”
Defensively, the outfield should be a strength with Forshey in left, Devin Purcel of Eudora in center and Alexis Rymer of Piper in right.
“Purcel is quick, reads the ball well and makes great catches,” Ross said. “Forshey is very gritty; gets to the ball and makes sure it’s caught; and Rymer is a very smooth player, good footwork and a great bat.”
Gracie Gentry, a lefthanded sophomore slap hitter from Turner, will see backup duty in both the infield and outfield as well as contend for the starting job as designated hitter.
Redick and Purcel will be at the top of the batting order with Arnzen, Grosstephan, Howe and Beck in the middle of the order.
“Despite the fact they’ve not been outside, they’ve come a long way and have a good attitude,” Ross said. “It’s going to come down to how hard we fight for each other and not for themselves. It’s a corps group we wanted, one that will have fun together and fight and not give up. If we have that, we’ll be tough to beat.”
The Blue Devils were limited to four hits in each of the two losses to unbeaten Crowder, which has not had a close game in its 10 straight wins. Singles by Redick. Purcel and Howe scored the lone run in the 7-1 opener.
Arnzen had the fourth hit while Pinkerton took the loss, allowing seven hits, walking four and striking out three. Purcel had two more hits in the 8-0 second game, both doubles, while Messer and Rymer each singled. Maslak and Pinkerton each allowed four runs in two innings on the mound.
The Blue Devils are picked to finish fifth in the Jayhawk Conference race behind Johnson County, Cowley, Highland and Labette.
“Right now we’re at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Ross said. “We don’t want to miss out on any dates so March and April will be packed. And we need to stay healthy.”
Kansas City Kansas Community College
2019 Softball Schedule
Sunday, March 3 North Central Missouri KCKCC 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 State Fair CC KCKCC 1-3 p.m. Friday, March 8 Crowder Bash Joplin, MO. TBA Saturday, March 9 Crowder Bash Joplin, MO. TBA Sunday, March 10 Maple Woods CC KCKCC 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 North Dakota School of Science KCKCC 2-4 p.m. Friday, March 15 Ellsworth CC KCKCC 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 16 Cloud County CC * Concordia, KS. 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 17 Southwestern CC KCKCC 12-2 p.m. Monday, March 18 North Arkansas CC Bolivar, MO. TBA Tuesday, March 19 Ottawa JV Ottawa, KS. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 21 Highland CC* KCKCC 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 23 Southeast Nebraska CC Beatrice, NE. 1-3 p.m. Thursday, March 28 ort Scott CC* KCKCC 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 30 Hesston College* Hesston, KS. TBA Monday, April 1 North Central Missouri Trenton, MO. 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 Southeast Nebraska CC KCKCC 2-4 p.m. Thursday, April 4 Allen County CC* Iola, KS. 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 6 Neosho County CC* Chanute, KS. 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 7 Maple Woods CC Kansas City, MO. 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 Park University JV Parkville, MO. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, April 11 Coffeyville CC* KCKCC 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 13 Johnson County CC* Overland Park, KS. TBA Tuesday, April 16 Southwestern Iowa CC Creston, IA. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, April 18 Labette CC* Parsons, KS. 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 Crowder College KCKCC 2-4 p.m. Thursday, April 25 Cowley College CC* KCKCC 2-4 p.m.
