Tigers can’t get past top-ranked Johnson County for a second time, fall in district semis
Running into top-seed Johnson County for the second time in three days, the fifth-seeded Cowley College baseball team could not replicate another winning formula on Saturday in the semifinals of the District Plains Tournament held at Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium at Tyler Field. The Tigers fell behind early and saw their season end with a 9-1, seven-inning loss to the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers (62-3) went on to defeat third-seed Kansas City Kansas Community College in the next two games, winning the district title and qualifying for the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, CO, on May 23-30.
Cowley finishes the season with a record of 37-23.
"We had a lot of guys improve throughout the season," Cowley head coach Darren Burroughs said.
On Saturday, Boston Bruce's 16th home run of the season, a two-run shot, highlighted a three-run first inning off Tiger freshman pitcher Grady Hoke.
Freshman Lance Alexander made his sixth start of the season for Johnson County and retired 18 of the first 19 hitters he faced and was in complete control throughout. Alexander allowed a single to Holden Groebl leading off the top of the second inning before retiring the next 15 consecutive batters. Skyler Branam's leadoff walk to start the seventh snapped the streak. Cowley would get an RBI double from Easton Green to avoid the shutout, but it was not enough to continue the game as Johnson went on to the run-rule victory.
Hoke, working on two days' rest, pitched into the fourth before being replaced by left-hander Keegan Robertson with runners on first and second and one out. Robertson would allow a run-scoring single to Lukas Wilson before Ryan Bradford hit a run-scoring sacrifice fly to increase Johnson County's lead to 5-0.
With the book closed on Hoke (8-4), he was charged with five runs on five hits, while striking out five and walking one.
Hudsen Periman and Carter Rose followed Robertson on the mound and could not slow down the Cavalier bats as Johnson County added a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth to lead 9-0.
Bruce, who was named the Tournament MVP, led Johnson County at the plate by going 2-for-4 with five runs batted in. Alexander allowed only two hits and one run, while striking out six and walking one.
Cowley sophomore Jace Patton was named to the NJCAA Plains District All-Tournament Team after going 4-for-13 with two home runs, five runs batted in, and four runs scored.
"Jace had a good tournament and hit a couple of big home runs at the tournament," Burroughs said.
The Tigers will say goodbye to sophomores Drake Fittro, Creed Muirhead, Lucas Weaver, Weston Thomas, Chance Acord, Keegan Robertson, Dax McCaskill, Logan Smith, Jack Hamm, Cameron Mock, and Quinn Groebl.
"We are happy that a lot of these sophomores have found good places to play," Burroughs said.
Cowley will hope its young pitching staff and position players, Josiah Sems, Easton Green, and Skyler Branam, build off a solid freshman campaign.
"We hope the returning players take the next step and the pitchers get bigger and stronger," Burroughs said.
Score by inning: R H E
Cowley 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 1 2 1
Johnson 3 0 0 2 1 3 x – 9 11 0