Tigers make it 17 in a row with sweep of Butler

With a huge four-game series against Kansas City Kansas Community College looming later this week, the No. 6-ranked Cowley College baseball team did a good job of not overlooking its current opponent, Butler Community College, as they completed a four-game sweep of the Grizzlies with wins of 7-1 and 12-2 Saturday in Arkansas City.

Cowley, winners of 17 games in a row, is now 42-7 on the season. The Tigers hold a one-game lead over Kansas City heading into a four-game series with the Blue Devils beginning Thursday in Arkansas City.

On Saturday, Cowley never trailed in the doubleheader as they out-hit Butler 22-9 in the two games.

"I thought we played well," Cowley head coach Darren Burroughs said. "The improvement we are seeking keeps coming."

In game one, Chance Cox continued his solid season on the mound by tossing five scoreless innings. Cox (6-0) scattered five hits, while striking out four and walking none as he lowered his ERA to 1.80.

"He trusts his stuff and made pitches when he had to," Burroughs said.

Ty Hammack got the scoring started with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning and Bryce Madron added his 15^th homer of the season in the 7-1 win.

In game two, Cowley got a three-run homer from Carson Hunt and led 11-0 after four innings of play. The Tigers would get three hits from shortstop David Herring and two hits apiece from Madron and Janson Reeder as they run-ruled the Grizzlies 12-2 in seven innings.

Carson Pierce (3-1) started on the mound for the Tigers and allowed only one hit and no earned runs, while striking out four with no walks.

"Carson worked ahead in the count and threw four pitches for strikes," Burroughs said.

Logan Kimbro pitched the final two innings to finish off the win.

Butler is now 28-22 on the season.

Cowley, which holds a one-game lead over Kansas City for first place in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division, will wrap up the regular season by playing a four-game series against the Blue Devils beginning with Thursday's home doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. The teams will then wrap up conference play by playing two more games in Kansas City on Saturday.

"This is what playoff baseball is all about," Burroughs said. "It will be exciting and should be a battle."

Score by inning:

Game one                    R H E

Butler   0 0 0 0 0 0 1 – 1 6 2

Cowley 0 3 1 2 0 1 x – 7 9 0

Game two                    R H E

Butler   0 0 0 0 1 1 0 – 2 3 0

Cowley 0 2 4 5 0 0 1 – 12 13 3