HUTCHINSON — The Red Devils have some work to do.
Allen Community College’s baseball team found itself behind the 8-ball almost immediately to start their Subregional Tournament.
The Red Devils were done in by Colby’s power (four home runs) and pitching (seven shutout innings by starter Alex Cook).
Allen mounted a furious comeback attempt, scoring four in the ninth, but it was too little, too late in a 9-4 defeat.
The loss relegated Allen to the consolation bracket, where they fended off Highland, 12-9, late in the night Thursday.
Rainy weather descended upon Hutchinson Friday morning, prompting Jayhawk Conference officials today postpone action until the skies cleared.
Regardless, the Red Devils had to wait to find out if they’ll play either Colby or Hutchinson, who were to play each other in the championship semifinal. The game, set for Friday, was not complete in time for press deadlines for today’s Register.
If Allen was to win that game, it would then be forced to defeat the Colby-Hutchinson winner twice in a row today to advance to next week’s Region VI Super Regional.
COLBY jumped out quickly in the opener, with Tyler McWillie blasting a three-run home run in the top of the first against Allen starter Luke Carter.
The Trojans tacked on a run in the second, then went deep three times in the top of the third to lead 7-0.
That was more than enough for Cook, who struck out eight and scattered four hits and walked three in seven innings.
Allen didn’t go down without a fight.
Lukas Rich led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk and went to third on an Alec Roberts single. Damon Burroughs smacked a single to chase Rich home before Josh Prinner scored Roberts with a single to make it 9-2 — all with nobody out.
Khyle Radcliff’s ground ball scored Prinner, and Lucas McCain drove in Prinner with another ground ball.
Colton Patterson followed with a walk, but Jonah Weisner grounded out to second to end the game.
Burroughs led the offense with two hits, including a double, while Roberts and Weisner both had doubles. Rich, Prinner and Colton Patterson all had singles.
Carter gave up eight hits with a strikeout. Jackson Blake came on relief and struck out two in 1 2/3⅔ innings of work. Alex Belch pitched five solid innings from there, allowing three hits with nine strikeouts.
