EL DORADO — Two eight-run innings were enough for Butler Community College to turn away visiting Allen County Community College in baseball action Thursday.
The Red Devils scored 14 runs but lost 16-14 in a nine-inning game with the Grizzlies. They hit three home runs in the game but couldn’t overcome 18 free passes issued by ACCC pitching.
With the loss, the Red Devils fall to 19-27 overall.
Now, they’re focused on their final four-game Jayhawk Eastern Division series. They are in Highland today and Sunday taking on the Highland Community College Scotties.
The Scotties occupy the No. 8 and last spot from the Jayhawk East for Region VI play. The Red Devils are two games behind in ninth.
Allen County, which is 11-21 in conference, play has to win three of the four or sweep Highland to move up and into the playoffs. Highland is 13-19 in conference and 21-28 overall.
Allen County had 17 hits against Butler Thursday. Nick Fountain hit his 12th and 13th home runs, going 4-for-6 at the plate. Fountain hit a three-run shot in the first inning and had a two-run home run in the ninth plus two singles.
Riley Price, also 4-for-6, had a two-run base hit in the third that put the Red Devils up 6-0. He had three singles and a double in the game.
Butler took the lead, 8-6, with eight runs in the fourth.
Brad Alberts planted a pitch over the fence for a three-run home run in the sixth, giving Allen County a 9-8 lead.
The Grizzlies took full advantage of the Allen County pitchers’ inability to find the strike zone. They had two hits in producing eight runs in the sixth.
The Red Devils got one run in the seventh then scored two runs each in the eighth and ninth. Unfortunately, they came up two runs short.
Zak Mickens, Tanner Wittman, Patrick Garner, Alberts, Garret Hess and Tevin Kendall pitched for ACCC. They allowed 11 hits, issued 14 walks and hit four batters.
Alberts had two singles along with his home run. Michael Schell hit two singles. Miles Sanderson doubled.
Hitting a single each were Brayden Brumley, Kyle Johnston and Curtiss Bunch.
Red Devils fall to the Grizzlies
