Month: May 2021

KCKCC to face Cowley in softball playoff in Topeka Saturday

Sophomore Bradi Basler homered twice Friday in KCKCC’s 16-9 loss to Johnson County. The homers were the 17th and 18th for Basler, who has driven in a team high 73 runs. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information

While Johnson County’s homer-happy Cavaliers may have spoiled Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Sophomore Day on the field, they didn’t dull the post-game ceremonies honoring nine sophomores. Nor did the losses affect the Blue Devils’ post-season challenge.

Seeded No. 5, KCKCC (39-13) will play No. 4 Cowley College (33-17) Saturday at noon in first-round playoff action at Hummer Park in Topeka. No.1 Highland (41-7) will face No. 8 Hesston (20-22) in the tourney opener at 10 a.m. The first-round losers will clash at 2 p.m.; the winners at 4 p.m.

Friday’s Sophomore Day honorees included three “super sophomores,” sophs who played three seasons at KCKCC albeit the 2020 season was cut short by the COVID pandemic.

Third baseman Alaina Howe and centerfielder Devin Purcell, both of Eudora, and Piper right fielder Alexis Rymer, were regulars all three seasons. They were joined by twins Leah and Alyssa Seichepine of Leavenworth, Haley Masisak of Lansing, Alexandra Schafer of Lexington, Oklahoma, and Nerida Elson and Georgia Faunt, both of Auckland, New Zealand.

Introduced with parents or other significant others, each player was presented a team and individual photos and other assorted gifts; countless photos taken; and player embraces. A special award was made to assistant coach Jenn Strohman.

Johnson County pounded out six home runs, three in each game, in 6-0 and 17-8 wins Friday. The sweep evened the season series between the two teams, KCKCC having won 5-2 and 10-2 earlier. The Blue Devils closed out regular season play with a 39-13 record, the second most wins in a single season.

The Blue Devils managed just three hits off JCCC’s Kyla Etter in the 6-0 opener, singles by Bradi Basler, Jenna Daugherty and Alaina Howe. Breanna Droge (15-7) took the loss, allowing nine hits and six runs. She walked four and struck out four.

Two home runs by Basler, her 17th and 18th of the season, and four hits by Rymer were among the few highlights in the 16-9 nightcap. KCKCC took a 5-0 lead in the first on a 2-run double by Rymer and a 2-run single by Daugherty and Basler’s first home run in a 2-run second made it 7-0.

However, the Cavaliers scored three runs in the third and fourth and then wiped out an 8-6 deficit with eight runs in the sixth off Basler and two relievers.

The Blue Devils got their 38th and 39th wins of the season by sweeping Allen County 7-2 and 12-6 in Iola Thursday. Droge allowed just six hits and one earned run in the 7-2 opener. She struck out eight, walked none.

Savannah Maynard homered and Purcell doubled twice to lead the KCKCC offense. Daugherty and Howe chipped in with two hits and Basler and Rymer had doubles.

The Blue Devils pounded out four home runs and 18 hits in the 12-6 nightcap win. Basler had a pair of homers and three RBI; Purcell a home run, double and single and three RBI; and Rymer drove in a pair of runs with her 10th home run and single.

The Blue Devils also got doubles from Maurer and Howe. Basler got the pitching win, allowing six runs on eight hits. She struck out five, walked none.

Freshman Jenna Daugherty successfully stole second base in early action in KCKCC’s 6-0 opening loss to Johnson County Friday. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)
Playing their final home at KCKCC Friday were three-year ‘super sophomores,’ front row, from left, Alaina Howe, Alexis Rymer and Devin Purcell; and second row, head coach Lana Ross, Nerida Elson, Georgia Faunt, Leah Seichepine, Alyssa Seichepine, Alexandra Schafer, Haley Masisak and assistant coach Jenn Strohman. (KCKCC photo by Alan Hoskins)

Hotel at former Schlitterbahn property on tonight’s City Planning Commission meeting

A hotel at the former Schlitterbahn property is scheduled to be heard at the City Planning Commission meeting tonight.

Developers plan to replat a commercial lot to build the Fairfield Inn Hotel at 1925 N. 98th St., 1915 N. 98th St. and 1821 N. 98th St. The approval of the final plat is scheduled.

The applicant, Vimal Ranat with Leisure Hospitality, proposes to build a 50,455-square-foot, four-story Fairfield Inn by Marriott hotel. It will have 87 rooms and an indoor pool, according to City Planning Commission documents.

Also scheduled is a request for a change of zone for 3860 Bell Crossing Drive, from single-family to agriculture district. The applicant wants to keep four horses and 24 chickens.

Approval of a special use permit for 933 Quindaro Blvd. for a transitional-group home also is scheduled. The property is within a historic district.

Chateau Avalon in the Village West area returns to the meeting for the renewal of a special use permit allowing live entertainment at the hotel.

The Mockingbird Lounge at 204 Orchard St. also is scheduled to come before the Planning Commission to renew a special use permit for a drinking establishment with live entertainment.

More than 20 items are scheduled to be heard at the City Planning Commission meeting. To see all of the items that are scheduled, visit http://public.wycokck.org/sites/planning-agendas-minutes-staffreports.

The meeting will be held remotely, with access through Zoom.

The Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled at 6 p.m. Monday, May 10, followed by the City Planning Commission meeting.

The Zoom meeting is online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/95402491608?pwd=bTlJRzhpMFBXTmo2Rm9qaWd2Wk1Fdz09.
The passcode is 721618 .

For telephone, dial 877-853-5257 (toll free) or 888-475-4499 (toll free).

The Webinar ID is 954 0249 1608.