After watching the Butler Community College Grizzlies lose to Cloud County Community College Thunderbirds in the first game (8-4), they were defeated 10-0 in the second game of the double header at Lee Doyen Field. The Thunderbirds showcased their depth on both sides of the ball, taking control early and never looking back.
From the very first inning, it was clear that Cloud County came to play. The Thunderbirds set the tone with a two-run lead early, with Austin Coyle leading off with a hit and later scoring. The Grizzlies’ defense and pitching staff couldn’t recover from the early surge, and by the fourth inning, Cloud County had extended their lead to 6-0, capped off by a three-run home run from Cam MaCleod. Matthew Evans' monster game was complimented by Luke Clayton's solo homer in the fifth, and MaCleod added another impressive hit in the sixth with a four-RBI showing.
On the mound, Butler's Kage Ralstin (0-1) gave it his all, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing seven runs on nine hits. While he showed flashes of solid pitching, Ralstin couldn’t avoid the big innings that allowed Cloud County to build an insurmountable lead. Butler's, Bradyn McClure and Cooper Annin, tried to stop the bleeding, but they too struggled to find rhythm against Cloud County's bats, allowing a combined three runs in just 1.7 innings of work.
Butler's offense, on the other hand, struggled to get anything going. Despite four players reaching base, Jackson Ellison, Cooper Rasmussen, Jaden Rose and Jackson Witt. Butler couldn’t string together enough hits to challenge Cloud County's pitchers. Most of the Grizzlies' struggles came with strikeouts and missed opportunities, they left nine runners on base.
This victory was beneficial for Cloud County, pushing their record to 33-11, and they remain at the top of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) with a strong 17-5 conference record. Butler, now 23-20 overall, will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back and finish the season strong. The Grizzlies will face off against the Cowley Tigers at McDonald Stadium on Thursday, April 24 at 1 and 3 p.m.