by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information
Offensively, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s baseball team earned a B-plus in its season opener Tuesday. But pitching was no better than a D in a 17-11 loss to State Fair.
The Blue Devils used eight pitchers and five gave up two or more runs in their one-inning stints to more than offset a 12-hit, 11-run offensive effort.
The Blue Devils resume action Friday, playing host to Barton County in a 9-inning game at 2 p.m. and then a Saturday doubleheader at noon.
KCKCC led State Fair three times, 1-0 after one inning, 4-3 after three and 7-5 after four only to have the Roadrunners score seven runs in the fifth inning, three coming on a bases-loaded triple by Zachary Dillman. Clayton Meyer swung the big bat for State Fair, driving in six runs with five hits including three home runs and a double.
Lansing’s Caleb Adams led the way for KCKCC, driving in five runs with two doubles and a single.
Adams put KCKCC ahead 4-3 with a two-run double in the third and gave the Blue Devils a 7-5 lead with another two-run double in the fourth.
Brayden Vawter drove in four runs, three on a 3-run home run in the eighth inning; Pablo Sanchez doubled twice and singled; Brendyn Bard doubled twice; and Cole Dawson doubled.
Parker Weddle started on the mound for KCKCC, striking out three and walking two in his one inning and Alan Mercado gave up a single while walking two in a scoreless second inning.
But the next five hurlers were touched for 16 runs and 13 hits before Sebastian Velez worked the final two innings, allowing two hits and one run.