KCKCC softball home Thursday after splitting two twin bills

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College traded doubleheader softball splits with North Central Missouri Monday and Tuesday.

Blanked 5-0 in the opening game, the Blue Devils won an 8-inning 5-2 thriller in the second game at Trenton Monday. KCKCC made it two in a row with a 5-4 home win in Tuesday’s first game but the Blue Devils were blanked 2-0 in the nightcap.

The Blue Devils (20-10) swing back into Jayhawk Conference play Thursday, playing host to Allen County at 2 and 4 p.m. before beginning a stretch of four doubleheaders in four days. At Neosho County Saturday at noon and 2 p.m., the Blue Devils are at Metropolitan-Maple Woods Sunday, home against Fort Scott Monday and at Park University junior varsity Tuesday.

KCKCC scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning in the 5-2 win at North Central Missouri Monday. Loading the bases on singles by Alexis Rymer, Mackenzie Pinkerton and Jennica Messer with one out, the Blue Devils went ahead 3-2 on a passed ball and scored two more on Hannah Redick’s two-run single. KCKCC’s first runs came in fourth when Alaina Howe belted a game-tying two-run home run.

The rally made a winner out of Mackenzie Pinkerton (6-6), who scattered seven hits, walked two and struck out two in going the 8-inning route. The Blue Devils were limited to singles by Kaylee Arnzen, Rymer and Brittney Beck in the opening game 5-0 loss. Shay Grosstephan suffered only her second loss in 10 decisions, allowing eight hits, walking one and fanning one.

However, Grosstephen (9-2) came back to get the win in Tuesday’s first game at home. Grosstephan allowed nine hits and four runs over six innings before Pinkerton came on to set the Pirates down in order in the seventh inning in the 5-4 win.

Not only did Pinkerton get the save, she drove in three runs with a pair of singles. Reddick and Rymer each doubled and singled and Grosstephan singled twice. Trailing 3-1, the Blue Devils went ahead with a run in the fourth and two in the fifth and got what proved to be the winning run in the sixth.

North Central won the nightcap 2-0 by limiting the Blue Devils to seven hits, three by Rymer who doubled and singled twice. Pinkerton, Redick, Devin Purcell and Britney Smith had the other hits. Pinkerton (6-7) took the loss, allowing 10 hits and walking one.

Davids presides over House floor during vote on bill that would help victims

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., today presided over the House floor as members voted on the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.

The legislation would reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, and included some changes that would increase protection and services for victims of violence and abuse.

Rep. Davids has cosponsored multiple amendments to the bill that address violence against Native American women and girls.

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 passed, improving critical protections and services for all victims of violence and abuse.

“Re-authorizing the Violence Against Women Act will help ensure that all survivors of violence and abuse can receive the support, protection, and justice they deserve. I was honored to preside over the House Floor as we passed this historic piece of legislation,” Rep. Davids said.

This legislation re-authorizes the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994. It makes vital improvements including strengthening services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, equipping law enforcement with the tools combat these issues and protect their communities, and improving the health care system’s response.  

“VAWA is a landmark piece of legislation that has provided lifesaving services for victims of sexual and domestic violence across the country.  This legislation is critical to ensure that survivors have access to the services they deserve.  VAWA is not a partisan issue.  It is not a political issue. It is about saving lives,” said Julie Donelon, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA).  

Davids’ co-sponsored three amendments to address the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls by improving information sharing and coordination in law enforcement agencies.  

“Native women and girls experience violence at far higher rates than any other female population in the country – an epidemic that has been neglected for far too long. I’m pleased to join my colleagues to help shine a light on this crisis and to ensure the health and safety of our Native women,” Rep. Davids said.  

Rep. Davids is now the second Native American woman to sit in the Speaker’s chair after Rep. Deb Haaland did so in the last month.

Weather: Rain in forecast today and weekend

A tenth of an inch of rain is possible today in Wyandotte County, and a quarter to half-inch of rain is possible Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service. (National Weather Service graphic)

Rain is in the forecast for today and the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

While there is still some Missouri River flooding along the river basin, the Missouri River at Parkville, which includes the Kansas City area, now has fallen below minor flood stage and into the action stage.

Leavenworth, Kansas, also has fallen below flood stage. Now in minor flood stage are St. Joseph, Missouri, and Atchison, Kansas.

River flooding is still possible, although flooding continues to recede through the area, according to the weather service. Water releases from the reservoirs to the north are being increased this week. The rainfall this week is not expected to have a significant effect on river flooding, the weather service said.

Today, residents will see showers with some isolated thunderstorms slowly moving east. Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible on Saturday, the weather service stated. No severe weather is expected.

Today, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon, the weather service said. The high will be near 59 with an east southeast wind of 5 to 7 mph, becoming northeast in the afternoon. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.

Tonight, there may be patchy fog after 1 a.m., with a low of 47. A northeast wind of 5 mph will become calm in the evening, according to the weather service.

Friday, patchy fog is possible before 9 a.m., with a high near 68, the weather service said. A calm wind will become south southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night, the low will be around 51 with a southeast wind of around 7 mph, according to the weather service.

Saturday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near71 with a south southeast wind of 7 to 10 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch is possible.

Saturday night, there is a 70 percent chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 a.m., followed by more showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 56. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Sunday, it will be mostly cloudy with a high near 70, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 50, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 69, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 49, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 70, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 53, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, there is 30 percent chance of showers, with a high near 69, the weather service said.

The Missouri River above Parkville, which includes Wyandotte County, now has dropped out of minor flood stage into action stage. (National Weather Service – USGS graphic)