The Allen Red Devils opened Jayhawk Conference play with a few fireworks while downing Fort Scott in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader.
The Red Devils defeated the Greyhounds 5-4 in the opener, then 4-2 in the finale to push their conference record to 2-0 before beginning a four-game road trip Tuesday against Labette Community College, then Thursday at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
“We started off on a good note,” Allen coach Nicole Peters said. “We played together and did well. We picked each other up. They were competitive and every time they scored, we answered back.
Freshman pitcher Andrea Ruby picked up the win in the opener. With the defense playing strong behind her, allowing just one error, Ruby seemed to pitch for contact instead of strikeouts.
Taylor Damme picked up her team-leading two RBIs on a single swing with a home run in the fourth inning. Freshman second baseman Kara Walker, sophomore third baseman Hope Sanchez and sophomore outfielder Ella McCammon also registered RBIs in the opener. Sanchez ended the day tied with freshman second baseman Addie Keys for the team lead in hits with two each.
Instead of methodically adding to their lead, like in the opener, the Red Devils benefited from one big inning in the finale with all of their runs coming in the third.
Thanks to a five-strikeout performance from Keys, the Red Devils only needed RBI singles from sophomore first baseman Kalyse Abernathy, freshman outfielder Harper Desmarteau and Sanchez to clench the win.
Abernathy and Sanchez registered Allen’s only hits while Keys allowed just a pair of runs, three walks and two hits for the complete-game victory.
“We really stringed some hits together and played as a unit,” Coach Peters said. “We’re ready to start conference and keep it going. We’ll go back to the drawing board Monday and then see what Labette brings us.”
With the win, the Red Devils improved to 9-18 overall and are 2-0 in conference play. First pitch for Thursday’s opener is at 2 p.m. with a 4 p.m. first pitch for the finale.
