SFCC baseball game recaps April 17 and 20

April 17, Hesston College at Hesston, Kansas

The Roadrunners swept a doubleheader against Hesston College 7-3 and 11-1.

In game one, SFCC opened the scoring with a single run in the top of the first inning. Hesston responded with three runs in the bottom of first inning to lead 3-1. SFCC scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game. SFCC took the lead with two runs in the top of the fifth inning and tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Sophomore catcher Derek Shikles led SFCC offensively with three hits. Sophomore utility playerZack Ehlen had a pair of hits including a home run. Sophomore infielder Kenny Prado had a pair of hits, scored a run and drove in a run. Freshman infielder Gavin Jones recorded a double, a home run and drove in two runs.

Sophomore pitcher Josiah Imhoff (4-3) got the start and the victory on the mound for SFCC. He pitched six innings, giving up three runs on five hits and struck out six.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the SFCC offense exploded for seven runs in the top of the first inning. Hesston got on the board with one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. SFCC added three runs in the top the sixth inning and one more in the top of the seventh.

Sophomore infielder Chase Swisher led the SFCC offensive attack with three hits. He scored twice, drove in two runs and stole two bases. Ehlen had two hits, scored twice, drove in a run, and stole three bases. Freshman catcher/first baseman Kyle Clark had a pair of hits and drove in four runs. Freshman outfielder P.J. Esposito drove in two runs.

Freshman pitcher Logan Bexton (6-2) got the start on the mound for SFCC. He pitched six innings, allowing one run on five hits and struck out 10 to earn the victory.

April 20, North Arkansas College at Dey Field in Liberty Park Stadium

The Roadrunners hosted the North Arkansas College Pioneers for a doubleheader. The Pioneers won the first contest 6-5, and the Roadrunners bounced back to win game two 13-3.

The Pioneers opened the scoring in game one with three runs in the top of the third inning. SFCC scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 4-3 lead. SFCC added one run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Pioneers tied the game with two runs in the top of the sixth and scored a run in the top the seventh. North Arkansas kept SFCC off the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning to secure the victory.

Clark had a pair of hits for SFCC. Swisher drove in a pair of runs. Prado, Clark and Jones had a double each, and sophomore first baseman Jacob Mitchell hit a triple for SFCC.

"We didn't play very well in the first game," said Head Coach Jud Kindle. "I think it was more a mental thing in the first game. We just didn't come out ready to play."

Sophomore pitcher Jake McMahill got the start on the mound for SFCC. He pitched five innings, allowing three runs on four hits and struck out three. He earned a no decision. Sophomore pitcherBrett Wilbanks (1-3) pitched one inning, allowed one earned run and took the loss in relief.

In game two, each team scored two runs in the first inning. SFCC added two runs in the bottom of the second and fourth innings. North Arkansas added a run in the top of the fifth. SFCC broke the game wide open with seven runs in the bottom the fifth.

Mitchell had three hits including a home run to pace the Roadrunners' attack. He scored two runs and drove in two runs. Ehlen had a pair of hits including a double. Freshman outfielder Hayden Bradford had a pair of doubles, drove in two runs and scored twice. Jones and sophomore infielderSteven Bradbury drove in two runs each.

"We started hitting the ball," said Kindle. "We were also able to get our running game going and steal some bases."

Sophomore pitcher Chase Plymell (5-5) went the distance on the mound for SFCC. He allowed three runs on five hits and struck out four.

"Chase started off a little slow," said Kindle. "We didn't play very good defense behind him, but he battled through it and got the win for us."

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics