Lady Roadrunners Softball Recaps March 3-7

March 3 Kansas City Kansas Community College at Kansas City, Kansas

The State Fair Community College (SFCC) dropped a pair of games to Kansas City Kansas Community College 14-13 and 9-1.

The Lady Roadrunners put together 18 hits in game one and were led offensively by Reagan Hockett of Sedalia with four hits and a run batted in. Freshman first baseman/outfielder Reagan Barker of Lee's Summit had three hits and two RBI. Freshman second baseman Taylor Williams of Rogersville had three hits, including a double, three RBI, and two runs. Catcher/infielder/outfielder Brooke Conner of Sweet Springs had two hits, including a double and four RBIs. Sophomore catcher Jordan Fischer of New Florence had a pair of hits. Freshman middle infielder Summer Collier of Oak Grove also had a pair of hits; she scored twice and drove in a run.

Sophomore pitcher/first baseman Alissa Collette of Springfield pitched six innings and gave up nine runs on 16 hits. She was given the pitching loss.

In game two, the SFCC offense could only muster one run on four hits. Conner recorded two hits, including a double and scored once. Collette recorded a double. Freshman outfielder Haley Berhorst of Holt Summit recorded a hit and an RBI.

Freshman pitcher/first baseman Aleah Paxton of Lincoln got the start in the circle for SFCC. She pitched three innings and gave up nine runs on 11 hits. She struck out three and was given the pitching loss.

"We gave KCK way too many chances and didn't capitalize on our own opportunities," said Lady Roadrunners Softball Head Coach Lyndsey Talbot.

March 4 Southeastern Community College at Burlington, Iowa

SFCC split a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 4 with the Southeastern Community College Blackhawks in Burlington, Iowa, winning the first game 6-3 before falling in game two 16-12.

In the opening game, Conner had a pair of hits, including two home runs and four RBIs. She also scored three times. Fischer also smashed a home run and drove in two runs.

Sophomore pitcher/outfielder Abigail Rapp of King City went the distance in the circle for SFCC. She allowed three runs on nine hits and struck out six.

"It was huge for us to bounce back and get the win in game one," said Talbot. "Abby Rapp pitched great for us. She has been coming back from an injury, so we've just been giving her an inning at a time. We gave her the start today and we got some runs behind her and we were able to finish it off."

In game two, Collette had three hits including a double. Conner contributed two hits and two runs scored. Freshman first baseman Samantha Campbell of Clinton had two hits, including a double and three runs batted in. Berhorst contributed two hits and two RBIs. Sophomore catcher/infielder Darby Christian of Sedalia and Collier scored once.

Paxton got the start in the circle for SFCC. She pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing 12 runs.

"We gave them way too many opportunities," said Talbot. "There were some physical errors, which are going to happen, but there were also some mental miscues."

March 5 Southeastern Community College at Burlington, Iowa

On Thursday, March 5, SFCC took on Southeastern Community College in Burlington, Iowa in another doubleheader. SFCC dropped game one on a walkoff base hit by the Blackhawks 7-6. Southeastern complete the doubleheader sweep winning game two 5-1.

Collier crushed a grand slam in the game to provide the big blow for the SFCC offense. Berhorst also had a pair of hits. Williams and Christian drove in a run each for SFCC.

"We made a lot of mental errors and ran ourselves out of innings," said Talbot. "We also didn't make the needed adjustments at the plate."

Collette went the distance in the circle for SFCC. She allowed seven runs on 12 hits and was given the pitching loss.

In game two, the offense sputtered for SFCC as the Lady Roadrunners produced only eight hits and one run. Collier and Williams had two hits each. Conner drove in a run. Collier also scored a run for SFCC.

"Once again we didn't make the necessary adjustments at the plate," said Talbot.

Rapp got the start in the circle for SFCC. She pitched five innings and allowed four runs, three of which were earned on five hits. She struck out three batters and got the pitching loss.

March 7 Indian Hills Community College at Ottumwa, Iowa

SFCC (4-8) lost a pair of games to 13th ranked Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa on Saturday, March 7 by scores of 7-0 and 10-3.

"Indian Hills is a nationally ranked team with one of the nation's best pitchers," said Talbot. "Their runs came off of home runs. They have a lot of kids who are committed to play at the Division I level. They are a very strong team."

The SFCC offense could only put together five hits against Indian Hills in game one. Paxton went the distance in the circle for SFCC. She gave up seven runs on 12 hits and struck out two.

In game two, Conner had a pair of hits and an RBI. Collier had a hit, an RBI, and a run scored. Hockett had two hits, including a double and a run scored.

Rapp went the distance in the circle for SFCC. She gave up 10 runs, seven of which were earned on 12 hits and struck out three. She was given the pitching loss.

"I liked how we competed in the games," said Talbot.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics