By John Mesh
Hutchinson’s Anthony Mazza was one hit shy of a cycle with a single, double and a triple and the Blue Dragons got solid pitching from Lachlan Rosser, Sean Combs and Brandt Phillips in a 9-3 victory over Allen County in Game 1 of the Region 6 Tournament playoffs Wednesday at Hobart-Detter Field.
Hutchinson improved to 38-10. Allen County dropped to 16-32, including five losses to the Blue Dragons.
Game 2 of the HutchCC-Allen County series starts at 1 p.m. Thursday. If a third game is needed, it will be played at 1 p.m. Friday.
Rosser made the start for the Blue Dragons in Game 1.
The Red Devils took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning.
Hutchinson scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 4-1 lead. Allen County committed two errors. Nick Glantz, Leo Griffin and Cael Hamrick had RBI singles and the Blue Dragons pulled off a double steal.
The Red Devils scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning to cut the Blue Dragons’ lead to 5-3.
Hutchinson’s C.J. Reid led off the bottom of the fifth with a single and scored from first base on Anthony Mazza’s RBI double off the fence for a 5-3 Hutchinson lead.
After an Allen County pitching change, Glantz singled in Mazza to give the Blue Dragons a 6-3 lead. Maher walked and combined with Glantz on another double steal.
Scotty Fegen made the score 7-3 on a sacrifice fly that scored Glantz. The Dragons loaded the bases with a walk and a hit batter but could not any more runs.
After Allen County got a 1-out base runner in the top of the sixth inning, Combs replaced Rosser on the mound. Hutchinson turned a 4-6-3 double play.
The Blue Dragons scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Reid singled and scored on Mazza’s triple. Adam Mustow’s sacrifice fly to deep left field scored Mazza.
Combs pitched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, Hutchinson stranded two baserunners in the bottom of the seventh.
In the top of the eighth inning, Combs again retired the Allen County offense 1-2-3. Hutchinson did not score in the bottom of the eighth and stranded two runners.
Combs pitched his third straight 1-2-3 inning in the top of the eighth inning.
Phillips replaced Combs in the top of the ninth inning and closed out the 9-3 win for the Blue Dragons.
There will be no admission for Games 2 and 3. All games will be streamed live and for free on the Blue Dragon Sports Network.
The Hutchinson-Allen County winner advances to the Plains District (Region 6) Tournament for an eight-team double-elimination series and will play the Cowley College-Seward County series winner on May 13 at Salina’s Dean Evans Stadium.
In other Region 6 baseball action Wednesday:
• Game 1 of the Barton Community College-Neosho County series at Lawson-Biggs Field in Great Bend was postponed from Wednesday because of rain.
Barton and Neosho will play Games 1 and 2 as a traditional doubleheader, starting at 1 p.m. Thursday.
• Dodge City Community College lost to Kansas City Kansas 12-11 in Game 1 Wednesday at KCK. The Conquistadors’ late comeback fell short.
Game 2 will be played ar 1 p.m. Thursday. If needed, Game 3 will be played at 1 p.m. Friday.
Grace Posch, Kade Smith honored at Hutchinson Senior Awards Assembly
Hutchinson High School held its Senior Awards Assembly Wednesday.
Grace Posch, who competed in volleyball and basketball, was named the Outstanding Female Athlete. She will play basketball at Seward County Community College in Liberal.
Kade Smith, who competed in football and wrestling, was named Outstanding Male Athlete. He will play football at Hutchinson Community College.
12 Blue Dragon softball players receive all-KJCCC DI recognition
Five Hutchinson Community College players made either First Team or Second Team on the All-KJCCC Division I Softball Team released Wednesday and seven more were named honorable mention.
Sophomore Bailey Backhaus is a First Team infielder and Morgin Tomlinson is a First Team pitcher.
Sophomore Haley Kruger is a Second Team infielder, freshman Kaibryn Kruger is a Second Team Outfielder and freshman Jessica Schmidt is a Second Team pitcher.
Honorable mention selections for the Blue Dragons were sophomore infielder Brooke Backhaus, sophomore outfielder Brie Brawner, sophomore infielder Emily Dice, freshman catcher Tailor Golly, freshman utility player Addison Lutz, freshman outfielder Gabby Stauffer and freshman pitcher Aubree Thomas.
McPherson High School athletes sign with Hutchinson CC
McPherson High School senior Gabe Pyle will play basketball for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons and second-year coach Kyle Fisher.
Pyle, a 6-foot-6 all-state performer for the Bullpups, made the signing official on Wednesday. He will major in education.
Pyle will compete in the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association All-Star June 21 at Kansas Wesleyan University’s Mabee Arena.
McPherson senior Eva Ramey signed Wednesday to continue her education and compete in cross country and track.
Ramey will major in psychology.