Red Devil Baseball hosted Labette Community College on March 12 as the teams split the doubleheader.
In the first game of the day ACC took the early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second off of a solo home run from sophomore shortstop Martin Malick with a deep ball over center field. ACC then hit back-to-back home runs as sophomore designated hitter Carson McCormac blasted the ball over rightfield extending the ACC lead 2-0.
Labette tied the game up in the top of the fourth off of a single followed by an Allen error. LCC went on to score another three runs in the fourth, extending their lead 5-2 going into the bottom of the inning.
LCC scored again in the sixth off of a pop-up to left field leading 6-2. Allen tried for a late rally as sophomore Nicky Moretto, hit a fastball past LCC second baseman, allowing teammate Marquee Williams to score. The Red Devils ended up falling short in game one as Labette took the win 6-3.
In the second game of the doubleheader, LCC got on the board first in the top of the first inning, after a three-run home run over the left field wall. Allen answered quickly with three runs of their own as McCormac hit a double into the gap of center and right field on bases loaded, scoring three runs for the Red Devils, tying the game 3-3.
Momentum started to shift for the Red Devils in the bottom in the second as Allen put up seven runs. Sophomore Cooper Bates started out the inning hitting a line drive down the third base side for a double, allowing two teammates to cross home plate. Moretto and Krue Lowe tallied a hit to get on base, with another two Red Devils advanced after being hit by the pitch, and one off of four balls. With bases loaded Freshman Nathan Villarreal would hit a single deep into left, allowing an additional point for ACC. Allen ended the inning up 10-3.
The Red Devil defense held the Cardinals scoreless in the third, fourth and fifth while grabbing nine of their own in the fourth off of three home runs, leading 19-3.
LCC made a late push in the final two innings managing to put up seven runs to Allen’s one. ACC closed out game two with a 20-10 win.
Allen showcased three pitchers in the second game as sophomore Miller Tavaglione pitched 5.0 innings for ACC with eight strikeouts. Sophomores Keaton Hartman and Brannock Blankenship both pitched 1.0 inning for ACC with one strikeout each.
Allen is now 9-11 overall on the season and 3-3 on conference play. ACC will return to action March 14 with another double-header at Labette Community College.
