by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information
The schedule makers did Kansas City Kansas Community College baseball no favors this spring, scheduling the Blue Devils for eight straight games against the Jayhawk Conference’s two ranked powers.
Despite being swept by No. 12 ranked Cowley 11-6 and 4-0 Tuesday, the Blue Devils handed both Cowley and No. 6 Johnson County their first conference losses. The sweep improved Cowley’s road record to 12-1 and 21-4 overall
At 5-7 in Jayhawk play and 10-10 overall, the Blue Devils still remain fourth behind JCCC (11-1), Cowley (12-2) and Allen County (4-2) heading into non-conference games at Cloud County Friday (2 and 4:30 p.m.) and at Maple Woods Tuesday (3 p.m.). A previously scheduled doubleheader with Labette Monday has been canceled.
Cowley took a 4-0 lead on four hits in Tuesday’s opener only to have the Blue Devils bounce back in the bottom of the first with a 3-run home run by Caleb Adams. However, Cowley relievers retired 15 of the next 17 Blue Devils in building a 9-3 lead. The Blue Devils scored their final three runs in the sixth on singles by Brendyn Bard, Palmer Hutchinson and Ivan Ortiz and a run-scoring triple by Beau Grable.
KCKCC managed only two hits – singles by Ray Paniagua and Ortiz – in the 4-0 nightcap loss. Racer Felter struck out six and walked three in the route-going 7-inning performance. Gabriel Ramos (0-2) took the loss, allowing all four runs on six hits in two innings. Eli Tormes scattered five hits in three scoreless innings; Hunter Cashero gave up no hits in two innings.