OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 9-ranked Johnson County baseball team opened a four-game series against Fort Scott Community College Wednesday afternoon, and came away with a split. The Cavaliers opened with a 16-2 five inning blowout, then followed with 9-7 loss. Johnson County in now 20-3 on the season.
Freshman third baseman Quinton Hall belted a three-run home run and sophomore leftfielder Brady Slavens, the national player of the week, had two solo shots over the fence to power the Cavaliers offense. Hall also had an RBI single. Slavens two homer day extended his home run streak to six straight games.
Leadoff hitter Landen Wood drove in two runs, along with first baseman Alex Austin and shortstop Garrett Wood.
Second baseman Brendan Ryan and designated hitter Nick Iannantone each plated one run in. Iannantone also scored three times.
Freshman right-hander Matt Ronnebaum went the distance, allowing two runs off six hits and seven strikeouts. The victory ups his season record to 3-0.
In the second game, it appeared Johnson County was on its way to another big win plating four runs in the fourth, but the Greyhounds scored one in the third, five in the fourth and one in the sixth to go up 7-4. They added two more in the eighth, and that proved enough to knock off the nationally ranked Cavaliers.
Hall's bat remained hot, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, three runs and two RBIs. He also scored three runs.
Slavens picked up two hits, including a double, and an RBI, but his home run streak was stopped at six games.
Landen Wood had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run. Ryan and right fielder Jake Grauberger each had RBI doubles.
Right-hander Drew Garrett, this week's conference pitcher of the week, suffered his first loss of the season, falling to 4-1. He allowed five runs off three hits, with three walks and three strikeouts.
Left-hander Jay Long pitched four inning of relief, allowing two runs, one earned, with five strikeouts. Right-hander Paul Rector logged the final inning and allowed two runs.
Johnson County will host Fort Scott on Friday, March 13 to close out the series. First pitch is schedule for noon. If the Cavalier can take both games, it will be the sixth straight series win this season.