HIGHLAND — Allen Red Devils baseball opens the postseason Thursday on the road against the fourth-seeded Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons.
Allen wrapped up the regular season Saturday after splitting with Highland Community College, taking the opener 4-3 before falling in the finale 19-16.
In only his third start of the season, Allen freshman Logan Page picked up his second win, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks before sophomore reliever Jett Messinger relieved him in the fourth inning.
With no defensive errors and strong performances on the mound from Messinger and sophomore Preston Lima, who picked up the save while throwing three strikeouts over three innings, Allen did not need much offense for the win. The Red Devils scored a run in the third, then three in the sixth for the win.
Sophomore second baseman Kaden Wint had a team-leading two RBIs, followed by sophomore outfielders Jose Zorilla and Marquee Williams with one each.
Both teams traded run for run in the finale, but Allen failed to hold up on their end of the exchange in their final at-bat as Highland held on for the victory.
With homers by Zorilla, red shirt freshman Trent Lavicky, sophomore Gavin Richardson and sophomore designated hitter Carson McCormac, the Red Devils did not lack offense, but their defense left more to be desired.
With five pitchers taking the mound, allowing five home runs, no pitcher was designated with a loss.
Freshman Doc Needham and sophomore Lincoln Upshaw tied for the team lead in strikeouts with two each. McCormac had a team-leading three RBIs with both of his hits resulting in home runs.
Zorilla and freshman catcher Shane Smith had two RBIs. Zorilla had a team-leading three hits while successful in 3 of 4 at-bats.
