The Allen Red Devils hope to even the score Saturday against the top-ranked baseball team in DI junior college after falling to the Johnson County Community College Cavaliers 11-0 and 12-5 Thursday.
After suffering a double-digit, shutout loss in the opener, the Red Devils gained their footing in the finale, but it was not enough to overcome an early deficit.
Sophomore starter Miller Tavaglione took the loss in the opener after allowing eight runs on seven hits and four walks. Freshman Logan Page came in for relief, tallying a team-leading three strikeouts, but also allowed three runs on four hits.
Tavaglione had two strikeouts. Sophomore first baseman Nicky Moretto and freshman third baseman Gavin Richardson recorded Allen’s only hits in the opener.
A two-RBI finale from sophomore third baseman Nathan Villareal and sophomore outfielder Jose Zorilla was an improvement, but it was not enough to knock off the No. 1 ranked Cavaliers.
Villareal had a team-leading three hits, followed two-hit performances by freshman designated hitter Carson McCormac, freshman third baseman Cooper Bates and freshman catcher Shane Smith, who also registered an RBI Thursday.
The losses dropped Allen’s record to 14-20 overall and 5-9 in conference play.
First pitch for the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader is at 1 p.m.
