The Allen Red Devils look to take a four-game series against the Fort Scott Greyhounds after splitting the first two games Thursday.
After taking the first game 3-0, the Red Devils fell in the rematch, 9-1, leaving Saturday’s contests to determine which team moves up in the Jayhawk Conference standings.
Sophomore pitcher Saul Bolivar’s complete-game shutout lifted Allen to victory in Thursday’s opener. He allowed four hits while tallying four strikeouts to improve his record to 2-2.
A three-run fifth inning was all Allen needed. Freshman right fielder Krue Lowe accounted for two RBIs and freshman shortstop Kaden Wints had one. Catcher Meese Robberse and first baseman Nicky Moretto also had strong days in the batter’s box with the pair each hitting 2 of 3.
In response, Fort Scott opened the first inning with a pair of runs and never looked back in Game 2. In the fourth, the Greyhounds put up another pair of runs. Allen scored a run in the fifth on an RBI from freshman third baseman Martin Malick to chip away at Fort Scott’s lead, but the Greyhounds put the game away with five more runs in the fifth.
Despite racking up seven strikeouts over five innings on the mound, freshman Jace Arnold (2-3) took the loss after allowing three earned runs on two hits, including a home run. Freshman Keaton Hartman came on in relief – pitching 3.2 innings and tallying five strikeouts.
Following Thursday’s contests, the Red Devils sit at 6-15 overall and 2-8 in conference play. They host Fort Scott Saturday for another doubleheader with games scheduled for a 1 and 4 p.m. first pitch.
Following Fort Scott, Allen starts another four-game series on the road when they face Hutchinson (18-8, 6-4) next Thursday, then host the Blue Dragons next weekend for another doubleheader.
