Roadrunners bounce back for sweep on Sophomore Day

April 19 St. Louis Community College at St. Louis

The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Roadrunners dropped a pair of Region 16 and Missouri Community College Athletic Conference games to the St. Louis Community College Archers 4-2 and 7-6 in St. Louis on Friday, April 19.

In game one, the SFCC offense was held to just two runs on five hits. Sophomore outfielder Logan Miller had two hits and an RBI. Freshman pitcher/utility player Dalton Miller also had two hits, including a double. Freshman middle infielder Sam Paule also recorded a hit. Sophomore third baseman Eli Cheaney scored a run and stole a base. Sophomore pitcher/third baseman Jayden Little scored a run in the game.

Sophomore pitcher Carter DeGondea went the distance for SFCC and allowed four runs, (three earned runs) on five hits, struck out five and walked four.

In game two, freshman outfielder/first baseman Dayne Wimberly led the SFCC offense with three hits, including a home run, three runs scored and an RBI. Sophomore first baseman/third baseman Carter Jenkins had two hits, including a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Pitcher/utility player Dalton Miller contributed a double and two RBIs.

Freshman pitcher Chase Schnieders got the start and allowed six runs (five earned runs), on seven hits, struck out three and walked four in six innings for SFCC. Redshirt freshman pitcher Dawson Torpey came out of the bullpen to give up one run on one hit. Torpey was given the loss in relief.

April 20 St. Louis Community College at Sedalia

SFCC (22-26, 11-17 in Region 16) swept St. Louis Community College 8-7 in seven innings and 13-5 in seven innings because of the run rule inside Liberty Park Stadium-Dey Field on Saturday, April 20. The games were also part of the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference schedule for both teams.

In game one, SFCC scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and followed that up with a three-run seventh inning to secure the come-from-behind, walk-off victory.

"We showed some resiliency, and we were able to put together some quality at-bats," said Head Coach Jud Kindle.

Little registered two hits and two runs scored. Freshman outfielder Caleb Briggs added a double and three RBIs. Paule pitched in with a double and an RBI. Freshman catcher Matt Goldasich tripled and drove in a run in the game. Logan Miller and Wimberly drove in a run each in the game. Sophomore outfielder Sam Russo stole a base in the game.

Sophomore pitcher Tait Robertson got the start and gave up seven runs (four earned runs) on seven hits, struck out two and walked three in 5 1/3 innings for the Roadrunners. Freshman pitcher Parker Lambeth pitched 1 2/3 innings, gave up one hit and struck out one to earn the victory in relief.

The Roadrunners honored their sophomores between games of the doubleheader.

"The thing I'm most proud of about our sophomore class is that they have an opportunity to help us earn NJCAA Academic Team for us in both years. They are a good group of kids who are hard-working on and off the field. I could not ask for a better group of kids."

In game two, SFCC kept the momentum rolling. Russo led the SFCC offense with four hits, including a double, three runs scored and two RBIs. Jenkins had three hits, including a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Wimberly added two hits and an RBI. Little also had two hits, a run scored and an RBI. As a team, the SFCC offense pounded out 13 hits. Logan Miller contributed two RBIs and a run scored. Dalton Miller pitched in with two runs scored. Briggs recorded a hit, a run scored and three RBIs. Briggs also stole a base. Freshman catcher Beck Jones scored two runs and stole a base. Paule added a run scored and two RBIs. Paule also stole a base in the game.

"We had a lot better approach at the plate in game two," said Kindle. "We finally started trying to drive balls up the middle, instead of trying to do too much. We were able to handle our business after that. It was important for us to try to come back out and get a couple of wins today after yesterday. It was also important to get the momentum back in our favor headed into an important week coming up for us."

Sophomore pitcher Keith Piepmeier got the start for SFCC. Piepmeier pitched five innings, gave up two runs, one earned on seven hits, struck out two and walked three to pick up the victory.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics