Roadrunners drop a pair of games to Iowa Central

The State Fair Community College Roadrunners (5-10) lost a pair seven inning contests 2-1 and 10-7 in nine innings to Iowa Central Community College at Liberty Park Stadium-Dey Field on Sunday, March 5 in Sedalia.

SFCC got on the scoreboard first with a home run from freshman infielder Calen Kruger in the bottom of the fourth inning. Iowa Central struck back with a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning to provide what would be the game-winning margin.

"I thought we played extremely well," said Roadrunners Head Coach Jud Kindle. "Iowa Central just out hit us there at the end. We put ourselves in a position to win the game but, didn't get it done. This game was definitely a pitchers' duel."

Sophomore Chase Carson got the start on the mound for SFCC. Carson pitched five innings, allowed two runs on five hits, and struck out five and was given the pitching loss.

Freshman Brock Steggall came out of the bullpen for SFCC. Steggall pitched 1 2/3 innings gave up one hit and struck out two. Freshman pitcher Brandon Hull finished the game for SFCC with a strikeout.

Freshman outfielder Sam Russo had one hit in the game for SFCC. Freshman infielder Elijah Cheaney recorded a hit for the Roadrunners, along with freshman utility player Carter Jenkins.

In game two, Iowa Central scored three runs in the top of the first inning. SFCC responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. SFCC added one run in the bottom of the third inning. Iowa Central added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning. The Roadrunners added one run in the bottom the sixth inning and tied the game with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to force extra innings. Iowa Central scored five runs in the top of the ninth. SFCC put together a rally in the bottom of the ninth with two runs, but it wouldn't be enough.

Freshman outfielder Sam Russo led the SFCC offense with five hits, including a home run, three runs scored, and a run batted in. Freshman outfielder Logan Miller had a pair of hits and a run scored. Jenkins had two hits, including a home run and two runs batted in. Freshman outfielder freshman Devyn Wright recorded a pair of hits and scored twice. Kruger had a pair of hits and two runs batted in. Sophomore Adam Webb had a hit and a run batted in.

SFCC struggled defensively, committing four errors in the game.

Sophomore pitcher Zach Buschschulte got the start on the mound for SFCC in game two. He pitched four innings, gave up three runs, only one of which was earned on five hits and struck out one. Freshman pitcher Jacob House pitched one inning, gave up two runs, one earned on zero hits and walked two. Sophomore pitcher Christian Whiting pitched one inning, allowed one hit, walked one and struck out three. Sophomore pitcher Tait Robertson pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowed five runs, four earned on two hits and struck out one. Robertson was given the pitching loss.

"Our offense showed up in game two and we played extremely good defense for six innings," said Kindle. "We had a pretty good pitching performance. The defensive errors cost us at the end of the game. I'm proud of the way our guys fought the entire day. We just didn't come out with a win."

David Rohrbach  SFCC Athletics