Posted: May 09, 2017
Fort Scott Community College traveled to Colby, Kansas to take on the Colby Community College Trojans in a best of 3 playoff series May 5-7. Fort Scott finished 5th in the eastern division with a 19-17 conference record and 35-22 overall. Colby secured the home series by finishing 4th in the Western division at 18-14 in conference and 27-23 overall.
The series began Friday with Greyhound ace Justin O'Laughlin on the mound. O'Laughlin pitched brilliantly allowing just 2 runs and striking out 9 in 7.1 innings of work in the Hounds 5-2 win. However Trojan starter Nick Vickers matched O'Laughlin with 13 strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work. Brandon Krennrich, Danny Crews and Quinn Waterbury each homered for the Hounds. National saves leader Kobie Schmitt shut the door in relief of O'Laughlin and did not allow a hit.
Game 2 was Satuday, and weather conditions had changed to work in opposition to a Greyhound offense that normally relies on the ability to hit for power. FSCC still came out swinging scoring 6 runs in the top of the 1st chasing Trojan starter Chase Dreger from the game. However the bats fell silent as the Hounds scored just 1 run on 6 hits for the remaining 8 innings of the contest. Kyle Smith started for FSCC and allowed just 4 earned runs over 5.1 innings, and struck out 4. However Greyhound closer Kobie Schmitt could not hold off the Trojans who scored the tying runs on a 2 out double by Brian Granton, and ultimately won on a single by Harrison Stevens. Schmitt despite taking the loss was a workhorse, going 3.1 innings allowing 3 runs and striking out 5.
Colby's game 2 win forced a win or take all game between the teams on Sunday. Nathan Miller started for FSCC, while Chase Dreger got his chance at redemption from Saturdays outing for Colby. FSCC scored single runs in the first 2 innings behind a leadoff double from Mitch Sloan and a sacrifice fly from Will Baker. Quinn Waterbury singled, and 2 Colby errors eventually resulted in the Hounds scoring their 2nd run. However Colby scored single runs in the 3rd and 6th innings. It was a pitcher's duel as Miller went 5 strong innings, while Dreger pitched 6. Greyhound sophomore Keller Agre, came in to hold off the Trojans for 4.2 innings and the game was still tied going to the 11th inning. FSCC led off the 11th with 4 straight hits after being silenced since the 2nd inning. Danny Crews, Brandon Krennrich and Quinn Waterbury each doubled, while Ben Kiefer and Andrew Morrow each singled resulting in 4 runs and the Trojans down to their last at bat trailing by 4. Greyhound closer Kobie Schmitt gave himself a confidence boost by striking out the side in the 11th. Head Coach John Hill III shared his thoughts on the weekend:
"What a weekend it was for a well-played playoff series by both teams. I tip my cap to Colby Head Coach Ryan Carter and his staff, they are extremely classy, and their players play the game the right way. As for us, I am so proud of this group for their response to a gut wrenching loss yesterday. I told them at the hotel last night that they had a choice, and nothing was going to be handed to them. And to their credit, they had the best possible response. Now I get another week to coach this team, and I couldn't be more excited. We look forward to the challenge of playing in the next round."
Greyhound Baseball will travel to Wichita, Kansas to play in the Region 6 Central District Championship this Friday where they will take on Cowley at 1:00. The tournament is a double elimination format, and games will be played at Lawrence Dumont Stadium.