Feb. 9, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at Perkinston, Mississippi

The Roadrunners (0-4) opened their 2018 season Feb. 9 and dropped a pair of games to the Bulldogs by scores of 14-7 and 12-0 in two seven-inning games.

In game one, Mississippi Gulf Coast scored first with a run in the bottom of the second inning. SFCC responded with two runs in the top of the third to grab the early advantage. Mississippi Gulf Coast responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning. SFCC added three runs in the top of the fourth. Mississippi Gulf Coast tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the fourth and three in the bottom of the fifth to take control of the contest.

Sophomore outfielder Tyler Crane led the charge offensively for SFCC. He recorded three hits, two RBIs and a solo home run. Sophomore utility player Zack Ehlen recorded two hits, three RBIs and a run scored. Freshman outfielder P.J. Esposito had two hits in the first game to go along with a run scored. Sophomore infielder Steven Bradbury pitched in with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.

Sophomore pitcher Chase Plymell (0-1) got the start on the mound for SFCC. He pitched 2.2 innings, allowing six earned runs.

In game two, the Bulldogs scored a run in the bottom of the second to take a lead they would never surrender. Esposito led the Roadrunners offensively with a pair of hits. Ehlen and Bradburyrecorded one each.

Freshman pitcher Logan Bexten (0-1) got the start in game two for the Roadrunners. He pitched three innings, allowing six runs, five earned runs, and striking out one.

Feb. 10, Pensacola State College at Pensacola, Florida

SFCC traveled to Pensacola on Feb. 10 to take on Pensacola State College. SFCC dropped a pair of seven- inning games 10-1 and 2-0.

Pensacola scored a single run in the bottom of the third inning. SFCC struck back with a single run in the top of the fourth. Pensacola broke the game open with nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Pensacola held SFCC to just three hits in game one. Freshman catcher/first baseman Kyle Clarkregistered a triple and an RBI. Esposito and sophomore catcher Blake Ford added a hit apiece for SFCC.

Freshman pitcher Conner Burnett (0-1) got the start on the mound for SFCC. He pitched five innings, allowing four hits, one run, no earned runs, and struck out four.

In the second game, Pensacola scored with a single run in the bottom of the third inning. The SFCC pitching staff held the offense at bay until they tacked on one more run in the bottom of the fifth.

Freshman outfielder Hayden Bradford had the only hit in the game for SFCC.

Sophomore pitcher Josiah Imhoff (0-1) got the start in game two for SFCC. He tossed a complete game allowing two runs, one earned, while striking out four, and walking one.

"We have a lot of areas that we need to improve," said Head Coach Jud Kindle. "We just couldn't put things together. There are really three aspects to a baseball game–pitching, defense and hitting. When we hit the ball well, our pitching struggled. When we pitched well, we struggled offensively. When we are able to put all of those things together, we will be okay."

The Roadrunners will take the field for the first time at home on Saturday, Feb. 17, for a doubleheader against Marshalltown Community College. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Dey Field in Liberty Park Stadium.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics