INDEPENDENCE — Allen County Community College’s Red Devils hit the ball. Actually, they out hit their hosts, the Independence Community College Pirates.
But the Pirates scored more runs in each of the games Tuesday to win the Jayhawk Eastern Division doubleheader. The double loss dropped the Red Devils to 4-6 in conference play and 10-11 overall.
They are at Fort Scott Community College this afternoon trying to break a three-game losing skid. The Red Devils host Coffeyville at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The Red Devils fell behind the Pirates 6-1 after three innings in the opener Tuesday. They battled back for five runs in the fourth tying the game.
Independence answered with a three-run in its half of the fourth. Allen County added two runs in the fifth but gave up four runs in the bottom of the inning, losing 13-8.
Allen County had 13 hits to Independence’s 10. Allen County pitchers issued nine walks in the seven-inning game. Mark Thompson started and went 3 2/3 innings. He was charged with nine runs on seven hits and four walks with five strikeouts.
Bryan Couch allowed three runs on two hits and three walks and Ben Pearson gave up a hit. Aaron Burke finished the game on the mound, giving up a run on two walks and two strikeouts.
Connor McCrite hit a single, a double and a triple for the Red Devils. Bryce Williams singled twice and had a double.
Michael Schell had a single and a double. Brayden Brumley had a double. Hitting a single each were Bretton Ater, Marcus Peavler and Wyatt Hall.
The Red Devils staked out a 4-2 lead through four innings of the second game, a nine-inning affair. They scored all four runs in the second highlighted by a two-run double from Ater.
Allen County added two runs in the fifth. McCrite singled with one out then stole second and third and scored on a fly ball by Schell. Ryan Fike followed with a solo home run.
Independence tied the game with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Pirates broke away from the 6-6 tie by producing three runs in the seventh. They held Allen County to one run in the eighth after three straight hits to open the inning.
Independence won 9-7 on 10 hits while Allen County cranked out 16 hits. Williams had two doubles and a single and McCrite had three singles. Peavler, Schell and Hall each had two base hits. Ater doubled and Fike homered. Michael Samuel and Brumley each had a single.
David Ormiston went six innings but ended up with a no-decision. He allowed six runs on six hits, two walks and three hit batters. He struck out nine.
Cody Wren took the loss in relief, working one inning and giving up three runs on three hits and two walks. He had one strikeout. John Michael Moore pitched one inning and allowed one hit.
