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'Hounds move into second place as streak continues
Fort Scott Community College's winning streak was at 13 games after a pair of sweeps --which included three consecutive shutouts -- over the weekend. It's the longest winning streak -- the only one in double digits -- for FSCC baseball in a decade.
With the sweeps, Fort Scott moved ahead of Johnson County into second place with a division record of 21-9 and an overall mark of 31-16. In each of the past two seasons, the Greyhounds won 34 games. There are seven regular-season games remaining and at least two first-round playoff games (as part of a best-of-three series).
"I don't know how many that is in a row; I don't want to jinx us," Fort Scott head coach Chris Moddelmog said after Saturday's twinbill against Neosho County. "Our kids believe they can win every day. That's the bottom line. They're playing with confidence and they're having fun. That's the key: They're having fun and when they get chances, we're burying people."
Saturday's scores were 6-4 in the first game and 2-0 in the second as the Greyhounds gave visiting Neosho County its 12th and 13th losses in its last 17 games.
Sunday, the 'Hounds made up a division doubleheader at Highland, sweeping 3-0 and 6-0.
The last time Fort Scott had posted back-to-back shutouts was in March of 2003.
Monday, the 'Hounds went to Kansas City to make up the second game of a doubleheader, winning it 7-6 to extend the streak to 14 games. Details from that game were not available at press time.
"We have a long way to go," Moddelmog said. "We want to make sure we're at home that first round of the playoffs. Second place is within our sights. But fifth or sixth is right there as well, so we have to just keep playing. Good things will happen when you keep playing hard."
Actually, when the results of conference play over the weekend are shaken out first place is even within reach. The second-place 'Hounds are only 2 1/2 games behind division leader Cowley, although the Tigers own the tie-breaker.
Saturday: Fort Scott 6-2, Neosho County 4-0.
The Panthers (9-19, 20-22) took the lead first on David Wade's solo home run off the scoreboard in right field in the top of the first inning. Later in the frame, Patrick Deao knocked in Tyler Knight to make it 2-0.
But in the bottom of the inning, Ryan Daniels' grand slam over the left-field wall put the Greyhounds ahead for good. Another run scored later in the inning as Travis Cruz scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.
Cullen Baxter drove in Cruz with a single in the third to make it 6-2. Neosho County scored twice in the top of the seventh before Garett Woerman was able to close the door.
Joel Ricketts pitched the first five innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four. Woerman finished up in the last two innings, allowing two unearned runs on one hit and no walks with two K'S.
"Joel Ricketts gave us five good innings," Moddelmog said. "We took him out because we need him to pitch again on Thursday. He got to his pitch count."
The Greyhounds had only four hits but chased Neosho left-hander Timmy Lysaugh after just two-thirds of an inning in which allowed two hits, including Daniels' slam, hit a batter and walked two.
Freshman Chris Miles pitched six strong innings in the second game, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out six. Trevor Geist, who had been starting on the mound when not playing third base, earned his second save since becoming a co-closer.
"We've kind of struggled in the bullpen," Moddelmog said. "We've had some guys injured. Woerman's come in and done a great job for us (Thursday) at KCK and again today. Trevor had a win and a save against Labette out of the pen.
"I hate to pitch him because it takes him off third and, obviously, we need him offensively. But he really likes coming in with the game on the line. He throws strikes. He runs it up there pretty good, velocity-wise. He has a good breaking ball. It works for us."
Zach Caldwell's solo home run leading off the bottom of the first gave the Greyhounds the lead in game two. Caldwell also scored the other run as he singled with two out in the fifth, stole second and third and came in on a throwing error when Neosho tried to catch Brandt Barnes stealing.
Caldwell and Geist each went two for three at the plate.
Panther lefty Taylor Henry probably could have won any other game with his performance, although two Neosho errors didn't help his cause. He allowed only four hits and one walk.
"They ran two pretty good pitchers at us today," Moddelmog said. "We're finding different ways to win every day."
Sunday: Fort Scott 3-6, Neosho County 0-0.
Ryan Daniel won for the third time during the Greyhounds' win streak as he allowed only five hits and three walks while striking out six in a complete-game effort in the opener.
All three of Fort Scott's runs were scored in the final two innings. Caldwell went two for two at the plate.
The scoring didn't take as long to come in the second game as Fort Scott scored three in the top of the first inning. Caldwell again had two hits and Baxter did as well.
Dan Huff also went the distance on a four hitter. He walked one and struck out five.
Highland, the ninth-place team in the 10-team East, fell to 8-22, 9-30-1.
Wednesday, the Greyhounds take a visit to a Western Division conference opponent, Hutchinson. Thursday, they'll be back on the East side with a doubleheader at Independence.
The regular season, barring any more rain outs, will conclude Saturday when the Greyhounds host Allen County for another Eastern Division twinbill. Play that day will begin at 1 p.m.
Game One
Neosho County.. 200 000 2 -- 4 9 1
Fort Scott..... 501 000 x -- 6 4 1
WP -- Ricketts. LP -- Lysaught. Sv. -- Woerman.
HR -- Neosho County: Wade (1st inn., none on, one out). Fort Scott: Daniel (1st inn., three on, one out).
Neosho County.. 000 000 0 -- 0 3 2
Fort Scott..... 100 010 x -- 2 4 1
WP -- Miles. LP -- Henry. Sv. -- Geist.
HR -- Fort Scott: Caldwell (1st inn., none on, none out)
Game One
Fort Scott..... 000 002 1 -- 3 7 1
Highland....... 000 000 0 -- 0 5 0
WP -- Daniel. LP -- Hill.
HR -- none.
Fort Scott..... 300 110 1 -- 6 8 1
Highland....... 000 000 0 -- 0 4 1
WP -- Huff. LP -- Smith
HR -- none.