by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
If playing the best prepares a team to be the best, good things could be in store for Kansas City Kansas Community College softball.
However, it can also be painful. Facing two NJCAA Division I powers and one ranked Division II team over the past four days, the Blue Devils managed just one win in six games.
The lone win came Friday, a 6-3 home win over No. 10 ranked Kirkwood after a 10-2 loss in the opener. Two Division I teams swept the Blue Devils in two other series, both on the road. Northeast Oklahoma A&M won 11-0 and 8-0 in Miami, Oklahoma, Sunday; 17th ranked Crowder (19-1) won 10-2 and 12-1 in Neosho, Missouri, on Thursday.
The Blue Devils (6-6) return to action Wednesday, as hosts of Ellsworth at 1 and 3 p.m. and then open Jayhawk Conference play Thursday when they entertain Fort Scott at 2 and 4 p.m.
Lansing freshman Bradi Basler allowed just four hits and struck out 10 in the 6-3 win over Kirkwood Friday. All three runs came in the first inning as Basler pitched shutout ball the last six innings despite walking seven and hitting two.
Piper sophomore Alexis Rymer provided the big blow in the win. The Blue Devils took a 2-0 lead on four consecutive walks and a hit batsman in the bottom of the first and Rymer cleared the bases with a 3-run double and a 5-3 lead. Abby Henson and Leah Seichepine each had a pair of hits in the win.
Kirkwood took the first game 10-2, scoring five runs in the first and three in the second. Rymer and Basler homered for the Blue Devils’ two runs. Rymer finished with two hits while Jennica Messer doubled and Hannah Redick and Leah Seichepine each singled.
Freshman lefthander Nerida Elson started on the mound, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk. She struck out two. Shay Grosstephan worked the final four innings, allowing five runs on eight hits.
The Blue Devils were limited to two hits – singles by Basler and Alaina Howe – in Sunday’s 8-0 first loss to Northeastern Oklahoma. Grosstephan took the loss, giving up eight runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Northeastern scored four runs in the second inning and five in the fourth in the 11-0 second game. Alaina Howe doubled and Devin Purcell, Redick, Rymer and Grosstephan each singled for the Blue Devils. Basler was touched for nine hits while striking out five and walking four in four innings.
The Blue Devils were held to just four hits at Crowder, Purcell and Henson singled in the 10-2 opener; Basler and Messer doubled in the 12-1 nightcap loss. Crowder stretched its winning streak to 13 with the sweep.