March 17, 2004

Cowley baseball opens conference play with sweep of Neosho

Hoping to reclaim the top spot in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division after a one-year absence, the Cowley County Community College baseball team opened its conference season by sweeping a doubleheader from defending conference champion Neosho County Tuesday at City Ballpark.

Once again, Cowley's pitching led the way as the Tigers won the first game 6-1, and then won the nightcap in extra innings 5-4.

In the first game, Cowley freshman Trace Larman (1-1) allowed just three hits and one run in four innings to pick up his first win of the season. Sophomore first baseman Colby Overstreet's three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning provided all the run support the Tigers would need as freshman Matt VanDeelen pitched three scoreless innings of relief to finish off the 6-1 win.

Chase Ohme had a two-run single in the bottom of the third inning, and Chad Ogden used his speed to account for Cowley's final run in the bottom of the fifth. Ogden led off the inning with a walk, and stole second base. Ogden wasn't done there, as he stole third and came around to score when Neosho catcher Zach Harris' throw to third sailed into left field.

Cowley third baseman Daryl Graham, who entered the game with just two hits in 19 at-bats, went 3-3 in the win. Fellow freshman Deik Scram continues to swing the bat well as he went 2-3 with a pair of doubles.

In the second game, Cowley got a run in the first inning and added another in the fourth inning when catcher Clay Blevins belted his second home run of the season.

Ahead 2-0, and having their ace, Josh Wahpepah, cruising through the first four innings, the Tigers appeared to be in control. Wahpepah struck out seven batters through the first four innings and surrendered just one hit. However, a throwing error by Blevins on a strikeout pitch in the dirt keyed a four-run Neosho rally.

Jeff Schlosser led off the top of the fifth with a single for the Panthers, and Kirby Mize reached on the error by Blevins. Luke Gibbs followed with a two-run single, and three batters later, Harris blasted a two-run homer to put Neosho on top 4-2.

Wahpepah allowed just three hits and no earned runs in five innings pitched. He also struck out eight and walked three.

In the bottom of the fifth, Scram led off with a triple and scored on a single by Ohme to cut the Panthers' lead to 4-3. Cowley came back to tie the game and force extra innings on a one-out RBI single by Overstreet in the bottom of the seventh.

With the score still tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Ogden led off with a walk. After Scram lined out and Ohme struck out, Ogden stole second. Neosho then chose to intentionally walk Overstreet.

Cowley head coach Dave Burroughs countered by sending Hunter Harrigan to the plate to pinch-hit for Brian Freeman. The move paid off as Harrigan singled home Ogden with the winning run.

Adam Henry and Ronnie Phillips combined for four innings of scoreless relief pitching for the Tigers. Phillips (3-0) earned the win.

Scram had two more extra base hits in the nightcap as he had a double to go along with the triple he hit in the fifth inning. By going 4-7 in the doubleheader, Scram raised his average to a team-best .372.

"Deik had another big day for us and showed why he might be the best player in the league when it's all said and done," Burroughs said.

The victories improve Cowley's record to 10-6 overall and 2-0 in the Jayhawk East. Neosho is now 3-5 overall and 1-5 in the conference.

Burroughs was pleased to earn a sweep of the conference-opening doubleheader.

"It was good because we came back to win," Burroughs said. "We fought through some adversity, so I'm proud of those guys."

Cowley returns to action Thursday when it plays a doubleheader at Labette Community College beginning at 2 p.m.