The Allen Red Devils’ slide extended to nine games following a weekend sweep by the Kansas City Kansas Community College Blue Devils at Alumni Park.
After falling 13-6 in the opener and 11-5 in the finale, Coach Trey Harris was pleased with his team’s offensive production but said there are many other areas requiring more focus.
“I just want to see how we can build from this,” Coach Harris said. “I want to see what guys want to be here, be in the mix. We get into times where it’s 5-2, and the energy just isn’t there.”
Allen jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the opening frame, but it was only the beginning of a slugfest.
The KCKCC Blue Devils (31-11, 22-2) came out on top after a five-run fourth inning and a three-run fifth, giving them a lead too large for the Red Devils to surmount.
That does not mean they didn’t try. Sophomore designated hitter Krue Lowe returned to the lineup in triumphant fashion with a pair of home runs in both contests.
contests.
In the opener, Lowe tied sophomore outfielder Jose Zorilla for the team lead in RBIs with two each. Sophomore outfielder Carson McComac and freshman catcher Shane Smith had one RBI each. Sophomore first baseman Kaden Wint had a team-leading three hits while successful in three of four at-bats.
Freshman starter Doc Needham took the loss while tying sophomore reliever Keaton Hartman for the team lead in strikeouts with two each. Red-shirt freshman Jordan Harrison posted a strikeout while coming on for the final 2 2/3 innings.
“I have to be a better leader in making sure our guys are ready to go,” Coach Harris said. “I’m not doing what I need to do to make sure they’re in the right spot so they can go in there and win. There are some adjustments I need to make.”
Lowe and freshman second baseman Nathan Villarreal put the Red Devils up early in the nightcap with homers in the second inning.
Allen’s bats went cold until a three-run eighth inning but the Blue Devils already had a seven-run advantage.
Lowe ended the contest with four RBIs, followed by Villarreal from his solo home run. Smith was perfect in the batter’s box in 4 of 4 at-bats.
“We can always rely on our bats being there, we just need to put a complete game together,” Harris said.
Sophomore starter Preston Lima took the loss posting a pair of strikeouts over four innings. Humboldt signee freshman Logan Page tallied a team-leading four strikeouts during his 2 1/3 innings on the mound.
Following this weekend’s doubleheader, the Red Devils’ record fell to 14-27 overall and 5-16 in Jayhawk Conference play. They host non-conference opponent Butler Community College Tuesday at 1 p.m., then host Jayhawk Conference foe Cowley (26-15, 16-4) Thursday.
