Sporting KC ends CONCACAF run with 5-1 loss

Sporting Kansas City’s run in the 2013-2014 CONCACAF Champions League ended on Wednesday evening after a 5-1 loss at Estadio Azul in Mexico.

Cruz Azul’s Mariano Pavone had a hat trick as the Mexico side won 5-2 on aggregate and advanced to the semifinals.

Cruz Aul took an early lead with a second minute Mariano Pavone goal. After receiving the ball near the 18-yard-box, Pavone slotted a shot into the upper right corner past Eric Kronberg to make it 1-0.

The home side continued to have the upper hand and midway through the first half took the aggregate lead with Pavone’s second of the match. Kronberg was able to block Marco Fabian’s initial shot but the rebound fell into the path of Pavone for the easy tap in.

Two minutes before halftime, Sporting KC responded with a Benny Feilhaber 44th minute strike.

The midfielder received a Graham Zusi pass before dribbling towards the 18-yard-box and sending a low shot off the fingertips of goalkeeper Jesus Corona and into the back of the net. The goal tied the match at 2-2 on aggregate and gave Sporting KC the advantage on away goals.

In the second half, Cruz Azul replied with three goals including Pavone’s third. In the 55th minute, the Argentine redirected a Fabian pass inside the near post to give Cruz Azul a 3-2 lead on aggregate.

Cruz Azul added to their its with two more goals in a four-minute span. Mauro Formica followed up a saved shot in the 66th minute and Christian Gimenez struck a left-footed shot off the far-post and across the goalline in the 70th minute.

Sporting KC will participate in the upcoming 2014-2015 CONCACAF Champions League after clinching a berth by winning MLS Cup 2013. The group stage begins in August 2014.

The team returns to MLS action on Saturday night when it plays host to the San Jose Earthquakes at Sporting Park. For more information, visit www.sportingkc.com.

Cook and Cline Design now open In KCK

 

Cook and Cline Design, a new design and furnishings business, recently opened at 416 N. 5th St. on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

There’s a new kid on the block on Strawberry Hill.  Cook and Cline Design has opened at 416 N. 5th St. in Kansas City, Kan.

The new design and furnishings business provides carpeting, flooring, countertops and molding for home remodeling and new homes.

“We have a lot to offer here, plus expert advice. The reason why we decided to come to the Strawberry Hill area is because of the older homes and the people. Everyone is fantastic,” said Kelly Cook, co-owner.

“I agree with Kelly, it’s a great place to live and work. Both Kelly and I recently bought homes over here plus we decided to open our new business here,” said Steven Cline, president and co-founder of Cook and Cline Design.

They have a one-stop shop for remodeling needs in their shop near 5th and Elizabeth.

For more information call 913-608-7899 or go to the website, www.kccrownmolding.com.

Cook and Cline Design, a new design and furnishings business, recently opened at 416 N. 5th St. on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)
Cook and Cline Design, a new design and furnishings business, recently opened at 416 N. 5th St. on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)

 

Norton, Foerschler pace 19-hit attack in 12-7 KCKCC win

by Alan Hoskins

With Lucas Norton and Tanner Foerschler leading the way, the Blue Devils of Kansas City Kansas Community College unleashed the biggest hit assault of the season Tuesday, pounding out 19 hits in a 12-7 win at Brown Mackie.

A sophomore centerfielder from Liberty, Norton was a perfect 4-for-4 with three doubles and a single and an RBI while Foerschler, a freshman first baseman from Harrisonville, was a double shy of hitting for the cycle with a single, triple and home run and four runs batted in.

The win sets up a big four-game series with perennial Jayhawk Conference power Cowley, which is locked in a three-way tie with Johnson County and Coffeyville for the league lead, all at 12-0.

The four-game set opens at Cowley Thursday and then returns to KCKCC for a Saturday twin bill starting at 1 p.m.

Daniel LaMunyon doubled and singled twice, Sam Baxter singled three times and Christian Arnold and Garrett McKinzie each drove in a pair of runs with two hits each as KCKCC improved to 8-15.

The Blue Devils took a 1-0 lead in the first on Norton’s leadoff double and an RBI single by Arnold and then scored five times on five hits in the second after Brown Mackie had tied the game.

Foerschler had the big blow, a 2-run triple following hits by LaMunyon and Baxter, and McKinzie drove in two more runs following Norton’s second double and a walk.  KCKCC built a 8-2 lead behind the pitching of Spencer Nielsen only to have Brown Mackie close to 8-6 with four unearned runs in the sixth.

However, the Blue Devils bounced right back in the seventh. Zane Mapes’ squeeze bunt following a double by LaMunyon and single by Baxter scored one run and Foerschler’s home run scored two more.

Nielsen, who had pitched two innings of relief on Monday, got his first win, allowing just one earned run while scattering eight hits and striking out two in 5.1 innings.

Adam Rea worked the final 3.1 innings for his first save, giving up just one run and five hits.

“Lucas Norton had another great day at the plate,” said KCKCC coach Steve Burleson. “He’s up to hitting.488 now and Foreschler was big with the home run and four RBI. Coming off pitching in relief a day earlier, Spencer Nielsen gave us some good innings.”