Cloud County Baseball Team Cruises to 19-2 Win Over Hastings College JV, Moves Up to No. 3 in National Rankings

The Cloud County Community College baseball team hammered 13 hits, including three home runs, and cruised to a 19-2 win over Hastings College JV on Monday, March 9, at Lee Doyen Field in Concordia.

The T-Birds, winners of 13 straight, have improved to 19-1 on the year and have moved up two spots in the latest NJCAA Division I Baseball Rankings Presented by Netting Professionals, landing at No. 3.

Cloud County scored eight runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore third baseman Kaden Budke set the tone for the afternoon, drilling a lead-off home run for his eighth of the season. Freshman outfielder Brody Seidl scored when a bases-loaded walk was drawn by freshman outfielder Broxton Barrientos. Freshman designated hitter Kellan Burke scored when redshirt freshman outfielder Evan Gunn reached on a fielder's choice. Freshman second baseman Nolan Green was then hit-by-a-pitch, scoring sophomore first baseman Luke Clayton. The Cloud County scoring barrage continued when sophomore shortstop Tony Crow drove a one-out, two-run triple to center field, scoring Gunn and Green. Freshman catcher Carson Weldy followed with a two-run home run to right field, extending the Cloud County lead to 8-0.

Hastings College scored a run in the third and one more in the fourth.

The T-Birds added another run in the bottom half of the fourth when Crow singled to right field, bringing home Gunn.

Cloud County turned it into a lop-sided affair in the bottom of the sixth inning with ten runs to extend the lead to 19-2. The T-Birds sent 16 men to the plate and pounded out six hits in the inning. Crow added his fourth RBI with a single to center field, while freshman Calem Redding and redshirt freshman Tanner Jacobson each hit RBI singles. Freshman Kale Koch belted a three-run homer to left-center field, scoring Weldy and Jacobson.

Crow finished 3-for-5 with a triple, four RBI, and three runs scored. Gunn went 2-for-3 with a double, one RBI, and four runs scored. Seidl finished 2-for-3 with a triple, one run scored, and one RBI. Weldy added three RBI and a pair of runs scored.

Freshman Jacob McAdams moved to 2-0 on the year. McAdams pitched one inning and didn't allow a run or a hit.

The T-Birds used a total of six pitchers in the contest, including Jackson Fox, Sam Brummund, Cooper Tannahill, Jett Wahlmeier, and Bradley Janes. The group combined for nine strikeouts and just three walks.

Cloud County has won eight in a row over Hastings College, dating back to 2017.

Cloud County will return to Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) play with a road doubleheader at Garden City Community College on Thursday, March 12, at 1 pm.