HUTCHINSON — An old bugaboo — lack of hitting — did in Allen Community College’s baseball Saturday.
The Red Devils kept high-powered Hutchinson off the scoreboard for much of their doubleheader, but the Red Devils were thwarted even more.
Hutchinson ended Allen’s season in the first round of the Region VI playoffs with a doubleheader sweep, winning 3-0 and 4-1.
The defeats end ACC’s season at 14-37.
The Red Devils offense was held to five hits in the opening game shutout, while Hutchinson put together single runs in the second, third and fifth innings against Red Devil starter Derek Pike.
Pike gave up seven hits in eight innings, with three walks and three strikeouts.
Cole Slusser and Trey Francis had a couple hits each for Allen at the plate. Clint Heffern had a double.
“Both Derek and J.D. Prohaska pitched great games for us,” Allen head coach Val McLean said, noting Hutchinson averaged more than eight runs per game in the regular season. “We just couldn’t get any offense going.”
The trend continued in the second game.
Allen took a 1-0 lead in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Francis.
However, Hutchinson came back strong in the bottom of the inning. With the bases loaded, Hutchinson drew a walk, scoring a run on the play. The next batter was hit by a pitch, knocking in another. Then a single knocked in two more runs, giving the Blue Devils the 4-1 advantage.
Prohaska had the no-decision for the Red Devils. He pitched six scoreless innings, giving up only thee hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
“With J.D.’s pitch count, we had to pull him after six, and that’s when they got their rally,” McLean said.
Levi Ashmore and Heffern had two hits. Chase Egelston, Kyle Foster and Drew Walden each had a double. Sean Maruo had single and scored a run.
