March 27, 2006                    

Tigers suffer first conference defeats

Playing a pair of doubleheaders over spring break, the Cowley College baseball team suffered its first conference defeats as they split doubleheaders against Coffeyville and Kansas City.

Playing Friday at Coffeyville (14-10 overall, 8-6 Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division), the Tigers won the first game 9-8 but lost game two 7-3. Cowley was without sophomore shortstop Brad Miller due to illness.

“Coffeyville has really improved their team,” Cowley head coach Dave Burroughs said.

Freshman Michael Dabbs had a big game in the 9-8 win as he went 3-for-4 with five runs batted in. Matt Peck (3-1) picked up the win as he allowed six hits and four runs in four innings pitched.

In game two, Coffeyville scored five runs in the first inning off Tiger starter Justin Otto (0-1), and Cowley could not claw its way back. Eight Tigers had one hit in the defeat.

“We just could not get that big hit we were needing,” Burroughs said.

On Sunday, Cowley lost the opener against Kansas City (9-7 overall, 5-7 Jayhawk East) by a score of 4-3, but came back to win the nightcap 7-2.

“Kansas City is a solid club,” Burroughs said. “We came back in game two and showed some effort.”

Cowley led 3-0 in the first game vs. Kansas City before the Blue Devils rallied to send the game to extra innings. Kansas City won the game in the bottom of the eighth inning as Thomas Myers blasted a solo home run off Tiger reliever Kendall Cogan (1-1). Cowley managed just five hits in the defeat.

In game two, Cowley freshman Kent Williamson stuck out eight in six innings as he improved to 2-0 on the season.

“He got better as the game went on,” Burroughs said. “He threw the ball very well and had good command of his slider.”

J.C. Bredengerd struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief as he helped nail down the win.
Sophomore catcher Patrick D’Aoust went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, while Nick Troilo and Zach Berg added two hits apiece.

The Tigers are now 17-8 overall and 8-2 in the Jayhawk East. Cowley, which is tied with Neosho for first place in the conference, will host Johnson County (9-12 overall, 4-4 Jayhawk East) Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Cowley’s home doubleheader against Highland that was postponed last Tuesday has been moved to Sunday at 1 p.m.