The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Roadrunners opened their 2020 campaign on Saturday, Feb. 8 losing a pair of games to the 10th ranked Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kansas 12-2 and 13-3.
In game one, SFCC (0-2) scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Cowley respond with three runs in the bottom of the inning. They added two more in the second and four in the fourth to take control of the game. They tacked on a run in the fifth inning and two in the sixth.
The SFCC offense had five hits in the game. Redshirt freshman outfielder Tommy Ruether of St. Louis, Missouri had a pair of doubles to go along with a run batted in and a run scored. Sophomore outfielder Kole Ficken of Boonville had a hit and a run batted in. Sophomore infielder Brett Holden of St. Joseph recorded a hit and a run scored and walked twice. Sophomore infielder Jason Gonzalez of Lee's Summit had a double in the game. Freshman outfielder/pitcher Brady Strickert of Blue Springs walked twice.
The Roadrunners struggled defensively, committing four errors, which led to eight unearned runs for the Tigers.
Freshman pitcher Antonio Escano of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic got the start, and recorded the loss for SFCC. Escano pitched 2 1/3 innings, while allowing five runs, three earned.
In game two, the Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning before SFCC tied the game at three in the top of the fourth. The Tigers responded with a run in the bottom of the inning and seven more in the bottom of the fifth inning and added two more in the bottom the seventh inning.
Redshirt freshman infielder Seth Kamykowski of Buffalo, Missouri hit a home run and drove in three runs. Sophomore infielder/pitcher Jake Lufft recorded a double. Freshman catcher Dylan Thompson of Camdenton scored a run and walked twice. Freshman catcher Dylan Watson of Boonville scored a run and walked once.
Freshman pitcher Jared Stephens of Neosho got the start on the mound for the Roadrunners. He pitched 4 1/3 innings and struck out two in the loss. Stephens allowed eight runs; seven earned.
David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics