The Red Devils didn’t have to wait long to rebound.
Allen Community College’s baseball team, after dropping a four-game set to Cowley Thursday and Saturday, were back in action Monday morning against Ottawa University’s junior varsity, three hours earlier than originally planned
And the Red Devils were hitting, early and often.
Allen steamrolled the Braves, 15-3, in the opener, and led 13-0 in game two before rainy weather forced the game to be suspended.
The scheduled doubleheader was pushed up from 1 p.m. to 10 a.m. because of the forecasts for inclement weather. The Red Devils were two runs away, and potentially less than two innings, from getting both contests completed in time.
As it stands, the suspended game will be picked up at a later date.
“We came out ready to play, given the circumstances, finding out 9:30-10 o’clock (Sunday) night that we’d have a 10 a.m. game and a 7:45 breakfast,” Allen head coach Clint Stoy said. “It shows the resiliency of 18-21 year-olds, that they can have that quick of a turnaround. It means they’re probably taking care of their bodies, doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
Allen ripped out 16 hits in the opener, including Josh Prinner’s 4-for-4 day. He doubled twice and singled twice, while driving in three and scoring three. For good measure, the Mountain Home, Ark., sophomore tripled and doubled in the second game to complete the cycle.
“It’s good to see the guys respond from a tough weekend,” Stoy said. “Josh has hit for the cycle already.
“That’s a good response from him. He really worked on his swing on his off day. It’s really showing.”
The Red Devils spotted Ottawa a 1-0 lead before erupting for a seven-run second inning.
Ryan Lowery and Fraai Roangeraud smacked RBI singles before Prinner laced a two-run double. Ayden Blachowicz was next to pound a three-run home run — his second of the season — over the right field fence for a 7-1 lead.
Roangeraud extended the lead in the third by scampering home on Levi Bennett’s single. Three batters later, Nathan Bach drove in two more. Sean Gomez Jr. followed with a two-run double to make it 12-2.
Bennett’s double in the fourth drove in a run. Prinner sent him home with a single, and Bach’s sac fly capped the ACC scoring.
Hunter Belton was the recipient, pitching five solid innings, allowing three hits and no earned runs, while striking out nine.
Allen’s Killer Bs — Bennett, Blachowicz and Bach — all had multiple hits, combining to go 6 for 8 with six runs and eight RBIs. Roangeraud also had two hits, including one of ACC’s six doubles. Brady Wiggin added a single. The Red Devils also were aided by four Ottawa walks.
