Battling the strong winds of Tuesday, Allen Community College’s Red Devils and Neosho County Community College’s Panthers had two low-scoring softball games on the Allen field.
It was Allen’s first Jayhawk Eastern Division doubleheader of the season. The Red Devils had to settle for a split.
Neosho County had the clout in the first game. After five scoreless innings, an Allen error set up Kaleena Castor for a two-run home run over the center field fence in the face of a stiff wind. In the seventh, Kaitlin Wilson hit a solo home run.
Allen stranded eight base runners in the game. The Red Devils’ leadoff hitter singled in the fifth followed by an error that put two one and no outs. They failed to plate a run.
Keelyn Bonar was the ACC losing pitcher, giving up seven hits and striking out six. Lauren Poertner hit two singles in the game. Ashley Randall and Kaylee Lucas each had a base hit.
Allen manufactured two runs in the second inning of the second game. The Red Devils worked around two base runners in the seventh as the Panthers scored one run. Allen posted a 2-1 victory.
Randall singled to lead off the second inning for ACC and Melissa Davidson went into run for Randall. Alexus Douglas put down a sacrifice bunt then Maecy Charleston drew a walk. Ashley Ribelin drove in a run on a base hit and Charleston scored on a throwing error.
Alex Hill picked up the pitching victory. Hill went six innings, allowing no runs on two hits and four walks. She struck out seven. Audra Nelson pitched the seventh and was charged with a run on one hit and earned a save.
Nelson delivered two singles. Hill, Randall and Ribelin had a single apiece.
The Red Devils are 1-1 in conference play and 11-4 overall. They travel to Kansas City, Mo., Thursday to play Maple Woods Community College.
Allen competes in the Midwest Classic in Broken Arrow, Okla., Saturday and Sunday before returning for a Jayhawk East doubleheader at Fort Scott on March 13.
