Category: KCKCC

Blue Devils escape one elimination game, but not a second

JCCC ends 38-win KCKCC season 4-2 after Blue Devils blank Murray State 1-0


by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s best softball season in more than a decade came to an end Sunday but not without a whale of a fight.

Faced with winning three games in one day, the Blue Devils won a pressure-packed 1-0 decision over Murray State (Oklahoma) in an elimination game and then had the tying runs on base in the bottom of the seventh before Johnson County escaped with a 4-2 championship game win in the NJCAA DI District D tournament in Topeka.

Advancing to the district semifinals for the first time since 2014, the Blue Devils finished the season 38-20 while Johnson County (24-12) advances to the NJCAA DII national tournament in Clinton, Mississippi, May 22-25.

“I thought we played well,” KCKCC Coach Lana Ross said. “We had a tough first game and then had to come right back and play a good team like Johnson County and played well in that one.”

Both games went right down to the final pitch Sunday starting with the 1-0 win over Murray State (25-21-1). Shay Grosstephan took a 5-hit shutout into the bottom of the seventh when Murray State mounted its only serious scoring threat of the game – a one-out triple to the fence in right-center field.

The hit brought Mackenzie Pinkerton on in relief and set up the play of the game – or maybe the season. Freshman third baseman Alaina Howe made a diving stop of a ground ball, scrambled to her feet and threw out the tying run at the plate for the second out of the inning.

“Alaina made a great play, saving a run and keep us from having to go extra innings,” Ross said.

The Aggies put the tying run on second on their only walk of the game but Pinkerton finished with a game-ending strikeout on a 3-2 pitch.

Grosstephan (13-6) not only got the pitching win but scored the game’s lone run in the top of the fourth inning. Leading off the inning with a single, she moved up to second on Kaylee Arnen’s sacrifice bunt and raced home when Alexis Rymer rifled a single to center.

Except for the seventh inning triple. Grosstephan allowed only two others Aggies to reach second base and three of the five hits she allowed came with two out. She struck out three and walked none. Rymer had two of KCKCC’s six hits. Arnzen, Grosstephan, Pinkerton and Devin Purcell had the others.

JCCC jumped in front 2-0 in the second inning of the second game, scoring the runs on three singles and an errant throw on a squeeze bunt. The uprising might have been worse had not Blue Devil catcher Brittney Beck caught a runner wandering too far off third.

KCKCC got one run back in the third on a single by Beck, double by Hannah Redick and Devin Purcell’s run-scoring sacrifice fly. The Cavaliers got that run back in the fourth on a one-out triple and a squeeze bunt and the game settled into a pitcher’s duel between Pinkerton and Kerrigan Dixon (15-4). JCCC added what proved to be a huge insurance run in the top of the seventh on a double and two-out single.

The Blue Devils quickly cut their deficit to 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Rymer leading off with a triple and scoring on a double by Pinkerton before they caught a bad break.

Breaking towards third on a Howe ground ball that was misplayed, Pinkerton was ruled out for interference for the game’s first out and Howe placed on first base. A single by Britney Smith put the tying runs on base before Dixon got Redick on a pop fly to end it.

Redick had two of KCKCC’s seven hits while Beck, Grosstephan and Smith added singles to Rymer’s triple and Pinkerton’s double. JCCC collected 10 hits off Pinkerton (16-10).

KCKCC prepares for 2019 commencement exercises

Security changes included

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

Graduation at Kansas City Kansas Community College is quickly approaching, and plans are already underway for the annual celebration.

There will be two commencement ceremonies, both on Thursday, May 23, at the KCKCC Field House, 7250 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

Commencement participants must attend the ceremony that corresponds with the certificate or degree that they have earned. Seating at both ceremonies is on a first come, first served basis.

The doors will open one hour prior to the commencement ceremony. Reserved seating is available for those who require accommodations due to a medical disability.

Security changes

This year, KCKCC will continue to use metal detector screening for everyone entering the Field House. All items, including clear bags and clutch purses, are subject to search at the entrance of the Field House.

KCKCC is asking that everyone remove items from their pockets during the security check in process prior to approaching the metal detectors. This includes removing billfolds, cell phones, keys, change, and other items. These measures will likely increase time necessary to enter the event, so those attending are asked to take that into account when deciding on an arrival time. In an effort to enhance safety and expedite entrance to the Field House, KCKCC has also implemented a clear bag guideline.

Clear tote bags that do not exceed 12″ x 12″ x 6″ and one-gallon plastic freezer bags will be allowed. In addition, small handheld clutch purses no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” will be permitted. No other bags will be allowed inside the Field House.

No items can be left or stored at the gates. Questions about graduation safety protocol can be directed to KCKCC Campus Police at 913-288-7636.

Ceremony information

The ceremony for those students who have earned an associate of applied science and certificates will be at 2 p.m. Graduate check-in begins at 1 p.m.

Programs include: Accounting (AAS), Addiction Counselor (Certificate, AAS), Administrative Office Professionals (Certificate, AAS), Audio Engineering (AAS), Auto Collision Repair (Certificate – TEC), Automotive Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (Certificate-TEC), Automotive Technology (Certificate – TEC), Building and Property Maintenance (Certificate – TEC), Computer Repair (Certificate – TEC), Business Administration (AAS), Computer Engineering Technology (Certificate, AAS), Computer Software Technology/Technician (Certificate, AAS), Computer Systems Networking & Telecommunications (Certificate, AAS), Construction Technology (Certificate – TEC), Corrections (Certificate, AAS), Cosmetology (Certificate – TEC), Culinary Arts(Certificate – TEC), Digital Imaging (AAS), Drafting Technology (AAS), Early Childhood Education (Certificate, AAS), Early Childhood Education – CDA Preparation Credential (Certificate), Electrical Technology (Certificate – TEC), Exercise Leader (Certificate), Firefighter (Certificate) Fire Science/Firefighting(AAS), Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology (AAS), Heating and Refrigeration (Certificate – TEC), Homeland Security (Certificate), LPN to RN Articulation Program (AAS), Machine Technology (Certificate – TEC), Major Appliance Technology (Certificate – TEC), Marketing & Mid-Management (AAS), Medical Assistant (Certificate – TEC), Mortuary Science (AAS), Multimedia/Video Production (Certificate – TEC), Nail Technology (Certificate – TEC), Networking Technology (Certificate – TEC), Allied Health & Nursing/Practical Nurse (Certificate), Allied Health & Nursing/Registered Nurse (AAS), Office Assistant (Certificate – TEC), Paralegal (AAS), Paramedic/Mobile Intensive Care Technician (AAS), Paramedic/RRT to RN Bridge Program (AAS), Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS), Police Science (Certificate, AAS), Respiratory Therapist/Respiratory Care Therapy (AAS), Technical Studies (AAS), Victim/Survivor Services (Certificate, AAS), Web Application & Design (Certificate) and Welding Technology (Certificate – TEC).

The ceremony for those students who earned an associate of science, associate of arts or associate of general studies will be at 7 p.m. Graduate check-in begins at 6 p.m. Programs include Biology (AGS, AS), Business (AS), Chemistry (AA, AGS), Computer Engineering Technology (AS), Economics (AA), Education, Elementary (AA), Education, Secondary (AA), Environmental Studies (AGS, AS), Exercise Science (AGS), Fine Arts (AA), Forensic Chemistry (AA, AGS, AS), History (AA), Journalism (AA), Music (AA), Music Technology (AGS), Philosophy (AA), Physics/Physical Science (AGS, AS), Political Science (AA), Sociology (AA), Theatre (AA), Theatre Technology (AGS), Victim/Survivor Services (AA), Pre-Agriculture (AGS, AS), Pre-Chiropractic (AGS, AS), Pre-Dental (AGS, AS), Pre-Engineering (AGS, AS), Pre-Exercise Science (AS), Pre-Law (AA), Pre-Medical (AGS, AS), Pre-Medical Technology (AGS, AS), Pre-Allied Health & Nursing (AS), Pre-Nutrition (AGS, AS), Pre-Occupational Therapy (AS), Pre-Optometry (AGS, AS), Pre-Pharmacy (AGS, AS), Pre-Physical Therapy (AS), Pre-Public Administration (AA), Pre-Radiologic Technology (AS), Pre-Respiratory Therapy (AS), Pre-Social Work (AA), Pre-Sports Mgmt. (AA) and Pre-Veterinary (AGS, AS).

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the graduation rehearsal at 10 a.m. on May 23, as they will receive important information on the ceremony.

Students who have completed all degree requirements for the spring 2019 semester as well as fall 2018 are eligible to participate in commencement. Students who are within nine hours of completing degree requirements in summer 2019 are also eligible to participate.

In addition, those students with at least a 3.4 grade point average qualify to graduate with honors and can wear an honors cord during commencement. Honors are awarded to students for completed coursework. Red, white and blue cords are available to active-duty service members, military veterans and spouses or dependent family members of active duty service members and veterans. These cords will be available at graduation check-in. Technical education students who have earned a 3.4 grade point average qualify to graduate with distinction and will wear a silver cord.

For more information on 2019 commencement exercises including graduation fees, visit https://www.kckcc.edu/student-resources/graduation/index.html. Information is also available by contacting a graduation specialist at 913-288-7519.

Blue Devils end 23-game Hesston streak but fall to JCCC, 3-2

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s softball magicians reached into their bag of tricks for yet another spectacular comeback Saturday but couldn’t come pull a second one out of the hat.

Trailing 5-0 after five innings, the Blue Devils scored seven runs in the final two innings to end Hesston’s 23-game winning streak 7-6 in the opening round of the NJCAA DII District D tournament at Topeka’s Hummer Field but then dropped a 3-2 pitcher’s duel to No. 3 seeded Johnson County in the second round of the double elimination playoffs.

The loss dropped KCKCC (37-19) into a loser’s bracket clash.

“I thought we played very well all around,” KCKCC coach Lana Ross said. “I think we’re playing our best ball of the year and that’s what you want, to peak at this time.”

Things couldn’t have looked much worse for the Blue Devils against Hesston in the opener. Facing the conference’s No. 1 pitcher and Freshman of the Year, Chelsea Smith (20-4), the Blue Devils were not only down 5-0 entering the sixth inning but faced a 5-2 deficit heading into the seventh.

Hesston had taken a 2-0 lead in the third on four hits and widened the lead to 5-0 in the fourth, the big blow a triple by Sadie Leatherman.

KCKCC’s 2-run rally in the sixth was ignited by a single by Alexis Rymer and double by Mackenzie Pinkerton, both of whom scored on a single by catcher Jennica Messer.

The first five Blue Devils to come to the plate reached base in their game-winning 5-run seventh inning. Devin Purcell drilled the first pitch of the inning for a double and Shay Grosstephan walked to set up one of the game’s biggest plays, a run-scoring bunt by cleanup hitter Kaylee Arnzen that was thrown away when no one covered first base.

Rymer just missed tying the game with a 225-foot double off the top of the wall in left to cut the KCKCC deficit to 5-4 and brought Amy Bretano to the mound in relief of Smith. A walk to Pinkerton loaded the bases and set up the play of the game.

Alaina Howe grounded to short as Arnzen scored the tying run and a throw to third attempting to cut down Rymer got away and Rymer scored followed by Pinkerton with a head-long slide at the plate.

“I knew I wanted Arnzen to squeeze bunt but not until the second pitch,” Ross said. “Then Rymer must missed a home run and then we took advantage of their mistakes.”

After a leadoff double off Grosstephan to start the seventh, Pinkerton came on for a save, enticing a pair of ground balls, the second that scored a run, and then ending it with a strikeout.

The Blue Devils finished with 10 hits. Devlin had two doubles and a single; Rymer doubled and singled twice and Pinkerton had two singles to lead the way.

The Blue Devils managed only three hits against Johnson County in the 3-2 second game as freshman Kyleigh Lay won a pitching duel from Pinkerton, who allowed just seven hits.

The Cavaliers jumped in front 2-0 in the third inning on three straight doubles, the last two driving in runs by Kerry Murphy and Hallie Henderson.

KCKCC bounced right back to tie in the bottom of the third. Britney Smith drew a walk and Hannah Redick singled. Both moved up a base on Purcell’s sacrifice and scored easily when Arnzen grounded a single to left.

The Blue Devils’ only other serious threat came in the second inning when Rymer tripled and Pinkerton walked but Lay escaped on a fly ball and strikeout.

JCCC scored what proved to be the winning run in the top of the fourth on a single, sacrifice and two-out double. Lay took it from there, retiring the final 13 Blue Devils in order.