Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

April 15, 2008
Story by Tyler Cundith

Cavaliers split with Cowley, remain three games back

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- After more than a week off with rainouts, the Johnson County Community College baseball team got a chance last Sunday to cut into Cowley College’s three game lead in the conference race. The Cavaliers took game one 5-4, but could not hold on to a 3-0 lead late in the second game, coming home with a split and still three games back of the Tigers.

Sophomore left-hander Travis Blankenship got the start in game one, and pitched a near perfect game in four innings work. He gave up just one earned run before coming out with a injury. Blankenship’s injury was minor and will not affect his next start. JCCC led 4-2 when Blankenship left the game.

Cowley was able to tie the game at 4-4 heading into the seventh. Mitchell Mathis led off the seventh with a walk and John Lenherr executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Mathis to second. Ashton Phillips was then inserted to pinch run for Mathis.

Sophomore Doug Otto grounded out for the second out, but was able to advance Phillips to third base. With two outs, Parker Amos came up with a clutch hit the drove in Phillips for what would prove to be the winning run.

Nick Holtgrieve pitches a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh inning, picking up his second win of the season. 
 
After picking up a huge win in game one, JCCC sent another ace, Brandon Droge tot he mound for game two.  The Cavaliers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, and looked they were clicking on all cylinders.

Droge took a no-hitter into the fourth inning and protected a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning. However, Cowley scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth, knotting the game a 3-3. Blake Gosch relieved Droge with two outs and men in scoring position, but recorded a strikeout to end the Tigers threat.

In the seventh, Cowley benefited from a close call at first and a few hits later came away with a 4-3 victory.