'Hounds sweep, even conference record

Fort Scott Community College center fielder Travis Cruz dives for a ball hit by Highland's Rondell Harris in the fourth inning of the first game of a doubleheader at Lions Field Saturday afternoon. The Greyhounds swept the visiting Scotties 4-3 and 5-1. (Kenny Felt/Captured Images)

Fort Scott Community College's baseball team finally got to play its first home games Saturday afternoon. After sprinkler malfunctions and snowstorms caused their original home-opening game to be moved and the rest of that series to be cancelled, the Greyhounds got their first home wins of the season.

A Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division sweep of visiting Highland went Fort Scott's way 4-3 and 5-1.

"It's always nice to start off with two W's when you're at home," Fort Scott head coach John Hill said. " It evens us back up in conference. We had two tough, frustrating games Thursday at Johnson County. This gives us a little bit of feel good before we play again on Tuesday."

Fort Scott Community College designated hitter John Leek takes a swing during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Leek had a single in the fifth inning. (Tribune photo/Kenny Felt)

After getting swept to open conference play by 11-8 and 10-8 scores at Johnson County Thursday, Fort Scott improved to 2-2 in the East and 6-8 overall.

With a strong wind blowing in from the south, defense and pitching were the key words for the day. But early in the first game, Greyhound starter Tyler Spear struggled with his control, walking seven batters before being removed with two runners on and nobody out in the top of the fourth inning.

"(Spear is) so much better than what he showed today," Hill said. With the wind blowing straight in, he should have chomping at the bit to pitch because even if you throw it right down the middle, they're going to pop it straight into the air. But he walked people and...on a day like this, you can't walk anyone; make them earn every single at-bat they get."

Highland (0-2, 3-9) led 2-0 after four innings. But Fort Scott took the lead in the bottom of the fourth with three runs.

Zach Higgins led off the inning with a single. Jason Houston followed with another safety. They executed a double steal and Houston scored on Cullen Baxter's ground out.

Kian Jost then drove in Houston with a double past a diving Scottie left fielder. Tyler Zimmerman reached on an error, allowing Jost to score the third run.

Highland took the lead in the top of the fifth when Cory Cowan doubled, moved to third on a balk and scored on a sacrifice fly.

The 'Hounds took the lead back for good in the bottom of the fifth when Zach Juliano doubled, stole third and scored on a groundout to short.

Jost and Houston each had two hits for the Greyhounds. Tate Bedwell (1-0) got the win in relief, going two innings and allowing one run on one hit and one walk. Adam Johnston earned the save with two innings of no-hit, no-walk relief.

The 'Hounds jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one inning of the second game. Travis Cruz reached when Highland's catcher couldn't control the third strike. He stole second, then Higgins and Houston drew walks.

Baxter grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Cruz. Jost singled in Houston and Baxter scored from third on wild pitch.

The 'Hounds added another run in the third. Baxter was hit by a pitch leading off the inning. Jost bunted him over, then Baxter stole third. He scored on a hit by Cody Barnes.

The last run scored in the fourth. Cruz led off by drawing a walk, then moved to second on a passed ball. He scored on Baxter's single to left.

Zimmerman had two hits for the 'Hounds in the second game. Zach Weinandt (3-2) pitched the first six innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out one. Mitch Albright earned his first save, allowing a hit in the seventh.

Only three of Fort Scott's 15 hits in the doubleheader were for extra bases. But that's the product of a windy day at Lions Field.

"It's not always the most exciting baseball here because we're turned around compared to the other parks," Hill said. "Ours and Highland's are the only ones that don't have the wind blowing out when its from the south; it's blowing in. So that is a definite home-field advantage. So we're used to having to execute and do small things. I am pleased because we executed very well."

The Greyhounds will host Coffeyville at 2 p.m. this afternoon in Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division play.

Game One

Fort Scott...... 000 310 x -- 4 8 0

WP -- Bedwell (1-0). LP -- McKinnon. Sv. -- Johnston (1).

HR -- none.

Game Two

Fort Scott...... 301 100 x -- 5 7 0

WP -- Weinandt (3-2). LP -- Burkhardt. Sv -- Albright (1).

HR -- none.