KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The No. 12 KCKCC softball team had a tough battle on Saturday against Hesston College where they finished with a split over the Larks. The Blue Devils took game one 7-5 before surrending the second game 4-3.
KCKCC is 22-6 overall and 7-3 in the KJCCC.
The Blue Devils added a run over the first two innings before Hesston took a 3-1 lead after their turn at the plate in the third frame. Both teams traded punches frame by frame after that as the Blue Devils tied the score at 3-3 in the third and the Larks took a 4-3 lead after the top of the fourth. KCKCC added two runs in the bottom half and led 5-4 and later stretched it to 7-4 in the sixth inning. Hesston added one run in the seventh, but the Blue Devils escaped any further damage to hold on for the win.
McKenna Lester and Kaitlyn Bradbury each added three hits - with Lester hitting a home run. Lester also led the team with three RBI.
Bradi Basler earned the win in the circle throwing a complete game and adding 11 strikeouts.
In game two, Hesston took a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. The Blue Devils added a run in the fourth, but the Larks answered with one run in the fifth frame. KCKCC scored one run in the sixth inning, but was unable to tie the game or take the lead. The Larks wound up taking game two.
Maya Sheldon had a team-leading two RBI, while Breanna Droge took the loss in the circle throwing four innings and striking out five batters.
The Blue Devils next face Southwestern CC on Monday in Creston, Iowa at 2 p.m.