Roadrunners open new facility, split with Jefferson College

Sedalia, Mo.- The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Roadrunners baseball team split a pair of Region 16 games with Jefferson College on Thursday, April 16 in Sedalia, Mo.

SFCC (22-25, 9-17 in Region 16) lost the first game 11-1 in five innings because of the run rule. The Roadrunners bounced back to win game two 14-4 in six innings because of the run rule.

In game one, outfielder Collin Ross of Branson, Mo. picked up the first hit for SFCC in the new facility in the bottom of the first inning. Ross also scored the only run of the game for SFCC.

Jefferson responded with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to take a lead they would never surrender.

SFCC was held to just five hits. Catcher Carter Rice of Sedalia, Mo. recorded a double. Outfielder Devin Wassmann of Platte City, Mo. added a double and an RBI. Middle infielder Christian Kuchta of Liberty, Mo. also added a double.

Pitcher Hunter Jones of Branson, Mo. got the start on the mound for SFCC. Jones pitched four innings, gave up seven runs, (six earned runs) on seven hits, struck out seven, and walked two.

In game two, Jefferson scored four runs in the top of the second inning to take the early advantage. The Roadrunners got on the scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the second inning. SFCC stormed back with four more runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 5-4 lead.

"After losing the first game and giving up four runs early in game two and being able to bounce back shows the resiliency of our team," said Roadrunners head coach Jud Kindle. "We could've hung our heads and not played the rest of the game. We had some really good at-bats. We constantly put pressure on their pitchers in the second game; we were able to take advantage of some walks and come up with timely hits."

In game two, SFCC put together 14 hits. Catcher Jose Arquez of Columbia registered four hits, two runs scored, and two RBIs. Utility player Malachi Antle of Licking, Mo. had a pair of doubles, four RBIs, and a run scored. Infielder Connor Rice of Sedalia, Mo. had a pair of hits and two runs scored. Kuchta contributed two hits and two RBIs. Outfielder Drake Odneal of Smithville, Mo. pitched in with a double. Ross scored three runs. Middle infielder Dayton Doll of Platte County, Mo. drove in a pair of runs. Wassmann doubled and scored two runs.

SFCC put the game away with seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn their first victory inside the new facility.

Pitcher Jacob Tellman of Jefferson City, Mo. got the start on the mound in game two for SFCC. Tellman pitched 1 2/3 innings, gave up four runs, (one earned run) on four hits, and walked three. SFCC got an outstanding relief effort from pitcher Maverick Gentry of Polo, Mo. out of the bullpen. Gentry pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up no runs on two hits, and struck out three.

"Maverick Gentry was in command of all three of his pitches," said Kindle. "When you're able to throw three pitches for strikes and constantly get ahead of hitters, that makes you a pretty dominant pitcher. He has really come along."

Today was a historic day for the SFCC baseball program with the opening of a new on campus facility.

"It is very special to have a great facility like this on our campus that was completely fund raised by our community," said Kindle. "I saw some students here today to watch the games who I haven't seen here before. It's nice to see our students have the opportunity to come out and watch us play. I would like to thank everyone who helped us to be ready to play this game here today, including Ben Burson and all the people at MMTH Sports Construction who helped us throughout the process. When they started this project in the fall and they told me we would be playing here in the spring, I thought there's no chance. I've never seen harder workers than MMTH. They are out there every day regardless of the weather. I commend them for their work. Ben did a great job of putting together an amazing-looking facility. We are really fortunate. It was the right time at State Fair. We have a good Athletic Director in Darren Pannier, we have a President Dr. Brent Bates who believes in athletics, and we have a community that supports us. It's a great feeling to see it all come to fruition."

SFCC will return to action on Saturday, April 18 with another Region 16 doubleheader at Jefferson College. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics