DRAGONS ERUPT FOR 23 RUNS IN GAME 2 VS. CONQS

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

DODGE CITY – Catcher Eli Duncan had two home runs and six RBIs to ignite a Hutchinson Community College offense that struggled in Thursday's Jayhawk West opener on Thursday at Cavalier Field in Dodge City.

Duncan's performance led the No. 21-ranked Blue Dragons in Game 2 to a 23-11 victory over the Conquistadors. Dodge City won the opener 8-2 earlier Thursday.

The Blue Dragons are now 14-3 overall and 1-1 in league play. Dodge City is 12-4 overall and 1-1 in the league. Games 3 and 4 of this opening KJCCC series will be at 1 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Hobart-Detter Field.

Hutchinson's 23-run explosion in Game 2 tied for the highest single-game output in the Brock Nehls' era and it tied for the eighth-most runs scored in single-game history. The last time the Dragons scored at least 23 runs last May 10, 2024 against Labette in the opening round of the Region 6 tournament at Hobart-Detter Field.

GAME 2 RECAP (Hutchinson 23, Dodge City 11 – 7 innings)
Duncan is the first Blue Dragon this season with a multi-home run game. He hit a three-run home run in the top of the third inning to give the Blue Dragons a 6-1 lead. Then after Dodge City rallied to take a 9-8 lead, Duncan launched his second three-run home run to left field as part of a season-high 10-run inning in the top of the sixth inning.

Duncan finished 2 for 5 with a career-high six RBIs, which is also an individual high for the Blue Dragons this season.

The Nos. 8 and 9 hitters for the Dragons – Leo Griffin and Duncan – combined to go 6 for 9 with 10 RBIs, six runs, three doubles and two home runs.

Griffin was a career-best 4 for 4 with three doubles, which tied a Blue Dragon single-game record for doubles with nine others – the last time by Ben McLaughlin vs. State Fair on March 9, 2021.

Griffin, Anthony Mazza and Nick Glantz all tied a team single-game record for runs scored with four each. They are the 32nd, 33rd and 34th Blue Dragons to score four runs in a single game.

The Blue Dragons had a season-high four home runs, also getting homers from Mazza and Taber Stokes.

Hutchinson jumped out to leads of 3-0, 6-1 and 9-3 before Dodge City rallied to take a 9-8 lead after five innings. The Blue Dragons sent 14 batters to the plate in the sixth inning and racked up six hits to take an 18-9 lead. The Dragons tacked one five more runs in the top of the seventh to take a 23-9 lead.

Mazza, who in Game 1 had his 14-game hitting streak to start the season ended, was 3 for 3 with three RBIs, including his second home run of the season. Stokes was 3 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs. Stokes was a single shy of hitting for the cycle with a two-run home run, RBI triple and a double. Quinn Maher was 3 for 4 with three runs scored. A.J.Mustow drove in two runs.

Seth Ainsworth (2-0) was the winning pitcher, going the final 3 1-3 innings. He allowed five hits and three runs with four strikeouts and two walks. Gabe Perry went 3 2/3 innings in his start. He allowed seven hits and eight runs.

GAME 1 RECAP (Dodge City 8, Hutchinson 2)
Dodge City Game 1 starter Will Davis scattered six his and shut out the Dragons leading to the seventh in the Conquistadors' 8-2 win.

The shutout disappeared when Maher hit two-out, two-run home run in the to of the seventh for Hutchinson's first runs of the game.

Maher was 2 for 4 with a double and home run to lead the Blue Dragons. Stokes was 2 for 2 with a walk.

Sophomore Trenton Roehler (0-1) pitched five innings and allowed 10 hits and six runs. Brand Phillips pitched the sixth inning. Dodge City had 11 hits with two doubles, a triple and home run.