March 23, 2004
Cowley wins opener, loses nightcap versus Independence
After winning game one vs. Independence 8-1 Tuesday at City Ball Park in Arkansas City, the Cowley County Community College baseball team suffered a 5-4 defeat in the second game as the Pirates salvaged a split of the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division doubleheader.
In game one, Dwayne White's two-run homer capped a five-run first inning for the Tigers, and Cowley cruised to an easy win behind the strong pitching of sophomore Dustin Richardson.
Richardson allowed just four hits and one run in throwing his second straight complete game. Despite pitching in windy conditions, he finished with a season-high 10 strikeouts and just two walks.
"He refused to let the weather dictate his pitching," Cowley assistant coach Darren Burroughs said. "He is very mentally tough, and made some really good pitches."
Designated hitter Clay Blevins went 2-2 with a two-run double in Cowley's five-run first inning, while catcher Hunter Harrigan went 1-3 with two RBI's. Chase Ohme added an RBI triple in the sixth and scored on a single by Harrigan to cap the scoring.
In the nightcap, Independence scored a pair of unearned runs off Trey Randa in the top of the first to grab an early 2-0 lead. However, Brian Freeman tied the game at 2-2 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the second.
Cowley would score two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to lead 4-2, but the Pirates answered back with two runs of their own in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 4-4.
Matt VanDeelen, who relieved Randa with one out in the fifth, gave up an unearned run in the top of the sixth as the Tigers committed two errors in the inning. The unearned run turned out to be the game winner as Cowley did not score again and lost game two 5-4.
Kellen Linville led Cowley batters with three hits in the defeat. Blevins, who drove in two runs in the opener, had another RBI in the nightcap.
Cowley is now 14-8 overall and 6-2 in the Jayhawk East, while Independence moves to 9-13 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
"They were tickled to get a split of the doubleheader, and we were disappointed to get a split," said Burroughs.
Cowley will be back in action Thursday when they play a doubleheader at Coffeyville beginning at 2 p.m.
Game One |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
Independence |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Cowley |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
x |
8 |
Game Two |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
Independence |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
Cowley |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
