Baseball at Allen Community College kicks into high gear Thursday, when the Red Devils head on the road to face Coffeyville for their Jayhawk Conference opener.
The Red Devils come into Thursday’s doubleheader red hot after winning five of their last six games, including a sweep of Arkansas State University Mountain Home in a pair of weekend doubleheaders.
In Friday’s opener, freshman pitcher Doc Needham picked up the win while tallying five strikeouts over six innings. The Red Devils scored all three of their runs in the sixth inning off RBIs from sophomore first baseman Gavin Richardson, who had a two RBI swing, and an RBI from sophomore outfielder Cooper Bates.
Allen demolished Arkansas in the finale 7-1. The Red Devils pieced together the blowout with a smattering of RBIs from sophomore first baseman Nicky Morretto, sophomore outfielder Carson McCormac, sophomore designated hitter Krue Lowe, sophomore shortstop Martin Malick and freshman third baseman Nathan Villarreal.
Bates had a team-leading three hits.
In Saturday’s opener, the Red Devils held in an 18-17 shootout. Lowe had an astounding eight RBIs, including a pair of home runs in the winning effort. Moretto had a pair of homers for four RBIs. Bates and sophomore outfielder Kaden Wint also had homers in the winning effort.
In Saturday’s finale, Humboldt signee Logan Page had a team-leading four strikeouts while taking the mound for three innings as a reliever as Allen smashed Arkansas 17-1. After serving as reliever throughout the weekend, freshman Preston Lima got the start with a pair of strikeouts over two innings before handing the mound to Page, who passed on duties to sophomore Brannock Blankenship after the fifth inning.
Another trio of heavy hitters emerged in the finale with sophomore outfielder Jose Zorilla, Moretto and freshman infielder Cash Messinger homering. Five Red Devils registered RBIs. Moretto and Malick tied for the team lead with three each.
Following Thursday’s doubleheader, the Red Devils host Coffeyville for a Saturday doubleheader with games scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m.
