April 24, Metropolitan Community College-Longview at Lee's Summit
The Roadrunners (30-20, 19-13 in Region 16) traveled to Lee's Summit for a single game against the Metropolitan Community College-Longview Lakers. SFCC dropped a 9-6 decision.
SFCC got on the scoreboard first with a single run in the top half of the first inning. Longview responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Each team scored a run in the third inning. Longview added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. SFCC responded with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Longview added one in the bottom of the inning. SFCC added a run in the top the seventh inning. Longview tacked on three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Each team scored a run in the eighth to finish the scoring.
Sophomore outfielder Tyler Crane had a pair of doubles, scored a run and drove in a run for SFCC. Sophomore first baseman Jacob Mitchell hit a home run and drove in a pair of runs. Freshman infielder Gavin Jones, sophomore infielder Chase Swisher and sophomore catcher Jake Quarti all drove in one run.
Sophomore pitcher Josiah Imhoff got the start for SFCC. He pitched two innings, allowing two runs, one earned run. He struck out two. Sophomore pitcher Brett Wilbanks (1-4) was tagged for the loss in relief.
April 26, Crowder College at Neosho
State Fair traveled to Neosho for a big Region 16 doubleheader against the 20th ranked Crowder College Roughriders. Crowder won the first game 3-2. SFCC bounced back to win game two 9-3.
In game one, both teams scored a run in the third inning. SFCC took a 2-1 lead with a run in the top of the fifth. The Roughriders won the game in walk-off fashion with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.
The SFCC offense totaled five hits. Sophomore utility player Zack Ehlen registered one hit and an RBI. Crane, freshman catcher/first baseman Kyle Clark, freshman outfielder Hayden Bradford and sophomore infielder Swisher all had one hit in the game. Swisher also scored a run.
Sophomore pitcher Jake McMahill (8-1) went the distance on the mound for SFCC. He allowed three runs, only one of which was earned on five hits, while striking out seven. He walked four and was given his first loss of the season
In game two, SFCC opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first inning and tacked on one run in the top of the second. In the fourth, SFCC added two runs and one in the sixth to take a 7-0 lead. The Roughriders got their offense going with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. SFCC responded with two runs in the top of the eighth to finish the scoring.
Bradford had three hits in the game for the Roadrunners. Clark contributed a pair of hits and three runs batted in. Jones hit a home run, drove in three runs and scored one. Swisher scored four runs in the game and stole three bases. Ehlen scored a pair of runs.
Sophomore pitcher Chase Plymell (6-5) got the start for SFCC. He pitched 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and struck out five to pick up the victory.
April 28, Crowder College at Dey Field in Liberty Park Stadium
The Roadrunners again played the 20th ranked Crowder College Roughriders in an important Region 16 doubleheader. The Roadrunners honored their sophomore class between games. Crowder swept the doubleheader 10-0 and 10-3.
In game one, the Roughriders scored a run in the top of the second inning and blew the game open with seven runs in the top of the third. They tacked on a run in the fifth and the sixth inning to invoke the run rule.
Crowder held the SFCC offense to only two hits in game one. Bradford had a hit and a stolen base for SFCC. Mitchell had the other hit.
Freshman pitcher Logan Bexton (6-3) got the start on the mound for SFCC. He pitched 2.2 innings, allowing eight runs, six earned. He was tagged with the loss.
In game two, SFCC scored first with a single run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Crowder responded with six runs in the top of the sixth to take control of the game. Each team scored a run in the seventh inning. Crowder added a run in the eighth inning and two more in the ninth to finish the scoring.
Swisher had two hits for the Roadrunners, scored a run, drove in a run, and stole a base. Clark also drove in a run for SFCC. Crane and sophomore infielder Steven Bradbury scored one run each. Bradbury and Clark recorded doubles in the game. Crane had a triple.
Imhoff (4-4) got the start for SFCC. He pitched seven innings, allowing seven runs and struck out six. He was the losing pitcher.
"Crowder is an extremely tough opponent," said Head Coach Jud Kindle. "They are a well-coached team with a great pitching staff. They played well today against us. We played well in Neosho in the game that we won. These games will definitely prepare us for our sub-regional next Friday and Saturday."
David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics