Roadrunners fight back to earn the split with West Plains

West Plains, Mo.-The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Roadrunners baseball team split another doubleheader with Missouri State University-West Plains, losing the first game 7-2 and rebounding to win the second game 11-9 in 11 innings to split the weekend series on Sunday, March 1 in West Plains, Mo. The games were part of the Region 16 schedule for both teams.

The SFCC offense was held to just seven hits in game one. Middle infielder Dayton Doll of Platte County, Mo. had a pair of hits including a double to go along with a run scored. Utility player Malachi Antle of Licking, Mo. also had a pair of hits. Outfielder Collin Ross of Branson, Mo. contributed a double and two RBIs. Outfielder Devin Wassmann of Platte City, Mo. also had a double. Utility player Casen Lett of  Parkville, Mo. also scored a run.

Pitcher Evan Bishop of Boonville, Mo. got the start on the mound for SFCC. Bishop pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up seven runs (two earned runs) on nine hits, and struck out five.

In game two, the score was tied 9-9, when SFCC tacked on a pair of runs in the top of the 11^th inning. The Roadrunners held West Plains scoreless in the bottom of the inning to secure the win. The SFCC offense put together 11 runs on 10 hits.

Catcher Carter Rice of Sedalia, Mo. led the SFCC offense with three hits, including a home run and three RBIs. Corner infielder Andrew Hill of Columbia, Mo. had a pair of hits, an RBI, and a run scored. Doll and Wassmann each recorded a double. Lett hit a home run, drove in a pair of runs, and scored twice. Doll scored a pair of runs. Ross also scored a pair of runs. Infielder Connor Rice of Sedalia, Mo. drove in three runs.

Pitcher Jacob Tellman of Jefferson City, Mo. got the start on the mound for the Roadrunners in game two. Tellman pitched six innings, gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits, and struck out six. Pitcher Maverick Gentry of Polo, Mo. pitched two innings, gave up three runs (one earned run), and struck out two. Pitcher Mason Kates of Lee's Summit, Mo. pitched three innings, gave up two runs on one hit, struck out two, and walked one.

SFCC (7-8, 2-2 in Region 16) will return to action at home on Tuesday, March 3 with a single game against Moberly Area Community College. First pitch from Liberty Park Stadium-Dey Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics