March 10 Johnson County Community College at Overland Park, Kansas

SFCC defeated the ninth-ranked Johnson County Community College Cavaliers 10-6 on Tuesday, March 10 in Overland Park.

Sophomore infielder Brett Holden of St. Joseph had an outstanding day at the plate to lead the Roadrunners offensively. He had four hits, including a pair of home runs, four runs and scored twice. Sophomore infielder Kole Ficken of Boonville contributed three hits, including a double and a home run, scored twice and two RBI. Freshman outfielder/pitcher Brady Strickert of Blue Springs also scored a pair of runs.

"We played extremely well," said Roadrunners Baseball Head Coach Jud Kindle. "We pitched well. We were also able come with some key hits. Brett Holden had a really good game. Johnson County is an extremely good team. We just did a lot of things right to help us get the win."

Freshman pitcher Rylie Rokusek of Holden got the call on the mound for SFCC. He pitched 5 1/3 innings. He gave up five runs on nine hits and struck out six to earn the victory. Sophomore infielder/pitcher Jake Lufft of Blue Springs worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save.

March 12 Metropolitan Community College at Kansas City, Missouri

SFCC (15-9, 5-1 in Region 16) swept a Region 16 doubleheader from the Metropolitan Community College Wolves in Kansas City 11-2 in a seven innings game and 9-5 in a nine inning game on Thursday, March 12 in Kansas City

In game one, redshirt freshman outfielder Tommy Ruether of St. Louis registered three hits, including two doubles, two runs and three RBI. Ficken also had three hits and two runs batted in. Holden, Lufft, and freshman catcher Dylan Watson also scored two runs each.

Freshman pitcher Connor Barnes of Boonville got the start on the mound for SFCC. He pitched six innings, while giving up two runs and he struck out seven to earn the win.

"Connor Barnes has solidified himself as one of our best starting pitchers," said Kindle. "He is very consistent. He can place the ball on both sides the plate and is able to command his offspeed pitches. He had a great outing."

In game two, Ruether had three hits, two RBI, and scored twice. Ficken had three hits, including two doubles and scored twice in the contest. Strickert had two hits and three runs batted in. Holden pitched in with two hits and two runs. Lufft had two doubles, three RBI and scored twice.

"We definitely came out swinging," said Kindle. "We had quality at-bats and got their starting pitchers out of the game pretty early. It is always good to get to the bullpen early."

Sophomore pitcher Peyton Seiz of Holden put together another solid outing, pitching 6 1/3 innings, while giving up four runs, three of which were earned on eight hits. He struck out six to earn the win.

"Once Peyton Seiz was able to settle in, he went pretty deep in his game," said Kindle. "When your pitching is able to command the zone and limit the walks, and your offense is taking quality at-bats, good things happen."

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics