March 19 North Arkansas College at Harrison, Arkansas
The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Roadrunners traveled to Harrison, Arkansas on Tuesday, March 19 where SFCC lost a single nine-inning game to North Arkansas College by a score of 9-4.
Sophomore outfielder Hayden Bradford, who had a pair of hits and one run scored, led the Roadrunners offensively. Sophomore infielder Gavin Jones contributed with two hits, one scored a run, and one RBI. Freshman infielder/outfielder Anthony Gunn contributed a pair of RBIs. Freshman pitcher/infielder Jake Lufft drove in a run and also recorded a double.
Freshman pitcher Peyton Soria got the start on the mound for the Roadrunners. Soria pitched five innings and allowed two runs on four hits. Freshman pitcher Alec Luyet took the loss in relief for SFCC.
"We didn't perform as well offensively as we should have," said Roadrunners Baseball Head Coach Jud Kindle. "North Arkansas just played better."
March 24 North Central Missouri College at Liberty Park Stadium-Dey Field
The Roadrunners finally got to open the home portion of their schedule on Sunday, March 24 with a doubleheader against the North Central Missouri College Pirates from Trenton, Missouri. SFCC swept the Region 16 games by scores of 6-5 and 14-4. The second game ended after five innings because of the run rule.
Sophomore outfielder Brady Holden hit a home run and drove in a pair of runs. Jones had a pair of hits including a home run and three runs batted in.
"The home runs came in big situations for us," said Kindle. "We made two errors defensively early and those runs really helped us get back into game one."
Bradford contributed two hits and two runs scored. Freshman outfielder Brice Pannier added two hits and a run scored. Sophomore infielder Kyle Clark had a double in the game.
Sophomore pitcher Logan Bexten went the distance on the mound for SFCC. He gave up five runs (one earned) and struck out four in the victory.
"Logan gave us the type of outing that we ask for from our starters," said Kindle. "He was consistent and kept the ball in the strike zone and let our defense work."
In game two, SFCC put together an eight run burst in the top of the third inning to put the game out of reach.
Jones had three hits and a run scored for SFCC. Bradford scored three times. Pannier had a pair of hits, two RBI, and two runs scored. Gunn had two hits (including one home run), scored twice, and drove in three runs. Freshman infielder Drew Perez drove in two runs and scored one. Sophomore catcher Blake Ford scored two runs. Freshman outfielder Ian Taylor registered a double and two RBI for SFCC. Clark also had a double in game two.
"We hit the ball well and were able to put some things together offensively," said Kindle. "Jack Schmedding threw the ball well for us."
Schmedding tossed a complete game for SFCC. He allowed four runs, only one of which was earned and struck out four to pick up the victory.
March 25 North Central Missouri College at Liberty Park Stadium-Dey Field
SFCC swept another important Region 16 doubleheader on Monday, March 25, by scores of 2-1 and 4-2 against the North Central Missouri College Pirates from Trenton, Missouri. The games were part of the Region 16 schedule for both teams.
In game one, Jones had two hits and an RBI. Gunn also had a pair of hits and a run scored. Bradford and Clark also registered a hit each. Clark also scored a run.
Sophomore pitcher Bill Cain went the distance on the mound for SFCC. He allowed one run on six hits and struck out four.
"It was definitely a pitchers day," said Kindle. "We did a good job of keeping North Central off the bases. Our pitchers also did a nice job throwing strikes all day."
In game two, Lufft, who had a three-hit game including a double and two RBI, led SFCC offensively. Ford had a pair of hits and a run scored. Pannier had a hit and a run scored. Perez drove in a run. Bradford and Gunn scored a run each in the game.
Sophomore pitcher Conner Burnett got the start and the victory on the mound for the Roadrunners. He pitched five innings. He allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three. Sophomore pitcher Chris Koehler got the save for SFCC.
SFCC secured the regular season sweep of North Central with the victories on Monday. The Roadrunners record currently stands at 16-11, 11-5 in Region 16.
"Every game in our Region is big right now," said Kindle. "There are some teams that are really playing well in the middle of the pack. The next couple of weekends we play are going to be really crucial."
David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics