Pitching is key to a deep run into the season and into the playoffs in baseball. Just ask Allen County Community College’s Red Devils.
A year ago, the Red Devils were caught short-handed in pitching. Mainly because the team lost pitchers before school started to four-year college programs.
“We’re a strong offensive team and defensive team this year. Although our pitching is still a question mark, we have numbers this year,” said Val McLean, who is in his 33th season as Red Devil baseball head coach.
“Last year, we were going down the roster and asking players if they pitched in high school. We were switching position players to pitchers just so we’d have someone to come in during games.”
McLean said the 2012 edition of the ACCC baseball team has reserve pitchers.
“We’re excited about our pitching staff this season. We have fresh arms. If a pitcher gets into trouble, we have fresh arms to come in and help,” McLean said.
Another bright spot for the Red Devil program: former ACCC baseball player Brett Lisher is back as McLean’s assistant coach. Lisher played for the Red Devils 2006-200 and played for the University of Kansas as a first baseman.
“Brett is an outstanding addition this year. His knowledge of not just baseball but junior college level baseball is tremendous in working with our young men,” McLean said. “He is working well with our players and his main strength is infield and hitting skills. Brett is such a positive person.”
Allen County opened the 2012 season over the weekend in a three-game series with host Eastern Oklahoma. The Red Devils lost 4-0 and 10-6 in seven-inning games then dropped a 10-1 decision Sunday in a nine-inning contest.
The Red Devils (0-3) go to Oklahoma Wesleyan College Thursday then play at Connors State College Sunday.
Allen County’s home opener is March 1 against Oklahoma Wesleyan, then the Red Devils host a Jayhawk Eastern Division four-game weekend series with Fort Scott March 3-4.
Last year, the Jayhawk Conference went to a four-game weekend series format. Teams play a doubleheader on Saturday and one on Sunday.
ght sophomores from last year’s 21-29 team. The Red Devils were 13-23 in Jayhawk East play, just missing the playoffs.
Returning are Garrett Hess, Kyle Johnston, Tevin Kendall, Zak Mickens, Nathan Russell, Eric Seymour, Trevor Smith and Travis Stafford. Allen County has three transfer sophomores in Drake Koerner, Bill Wigington and Caleb Wilburn.
Hess is Allen County’s first baseman and designated hitter and is a mainstay to the lineup. Stafford returns as starting shortstop. Stafford also pitched for ACCC a year ago.
