Jeanie Rose

Baseball March 01, 2016

PREVIEW: DC3 off to best start under Stephenson, host Otero JC

DC3's Andres Acuna is fourth in the KJCCC with a .529 average.

DODGE CITY, Kan. -- The Dodge City Community College baseball team is off to its best start in head coach Phil Stephenson's 11 years as coach, including last season's record-setting season that saw the Conquistadors make it to the JUCO World Series. DC3 hopes to keep its undefeated start in tact when it hosts a doubleheader against Otero Junior College 1 p.m. Wednesday at Cavalier Field.

DC3 BREAKDOWN (9-0)

AVG: .372 (2nd in KJCCC) | OBP: .471 (2nd) | SB: 7 (18th) | ERA: 2.08 (2nd) | OPP AVG: .224 (2nd)

- The Conqs continued their strong start to 2016 with a doubleheader sweep of Brown Mackie College on Friday, winning 4-1 and 18-0. The four runs in the first game tied a season low while the 18 runs in the second game was a season high.

- In Friday's doubleheader, the DC3 pitching staff in 12 innings allowed a run on six hits with 19 strikeouts and two walks. The shutout in game two was its third of the season.

- The Conqs thus far in 2016 have proven to be a team that will put the ball in play as they have struck out the fewest in the conference (38 times). Neosho is next at 43 with the next closest team being Fort Scott at 52.

- DC3's Andres Acuna is fourth in the conference in hitting at .529 and is second in on-base percentage at .692. He's tied for the team lead with eight RBI and leads the team with eight walks and three stolen bases.

- The Conqs have five other players with at least 15 at bats hitting above .400 in: Talon Schaller (.467), Jason Nichols (.440), Richard Fullerton (.433), Jake Pederson (.419) and Max Laney (.417).

- Laney is tied for the conference lead in hit by pitches with six in just nine games.

- Layne Downing and Matthew Perea lead the KJCCC in wins with three while Perea is fifth in the conference with a 0.82 ERA. DC3's Jay Rawlins is tied for the conference lead in ERA at 0.00.

- Carter Hogan is tied for the KJCCC lead with three saves. He's thrown five scoreless innings and allowed just two hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

- DC3 pitching this season has 82 strikeouts with only nine walks, a 9.1/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

- Left-handers Rawlins (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Cole Brandon (1-0, 4.70 ERA) are scheduled to start Wednesday against Otero.

OTERO JUNIOR COLLEGE BREAKDOWN (10-4)

AVG: .314 | OBP: .435 | SB: 28 | ERA: 4.90 | OPP AVG: .308

- Since salvaging the final game of a four-game set against New Mexico Military Institute (a team the Conqs swept a four-game series from), Otero has won eight games in a row. Six of those wins are against the Adams State junior varsity with a 4-2 win over Garden City wedged in there as well.

- Eight of Otero's 14 games this season have been against the Adams State JV, all victories.

- Jesus Chavez leads the team in hits (19), RBI (14), extra-base hits (nine), doubles (five), triples (four) and runs (14). His .373 average is second on the team.

- Hunter Junge in nine games is hitting .600 (15-for-25) with two home runs, 10 RBI and five doubles while Corton Wardle leads Otero with nine stolen bases to go along with his .341 average, .500 on-base percentage, four doubles and three triples.

- Casey Weber has been the Rattlers' top pitcher as he's 3-0 in a team-high 14.2 innings with 20 strikeouts and a 3.07 ERA.

- Lane Grieman has four saves for Otero as he has 12 strikeouts and allowed six hits in 8.2 innings.

Players Mentioned

#2 Layne Downing: RHP; 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R

#4 Matthew Perea: LHP; 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/L

#6 Jason Nichols: OF/INF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R

#7 Max Laney: INF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R

#13 Andres Acuna: INF; 5' 11"; Freshman; R/R

#15 Carter Hogan: RHP; 6' 4"; Freshman; R/R

#20 Jay Rawlins: LHP; 6' 1"; Sophomore; L/L

#22 Cole Brandon: LHP; 6' 2"; Freshman; L/L

#24 Jake Pederson: OF; 6' 0"; Freshman; L/R

#27 Richard Fullerton: OF; 6' 2"; Freshman; R/R

#37 Talon Schaller: UT/RHP; 6' 3"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#2 Layne Downing
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#4 Matthew Perea
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; L/L
: LHP

#6 Jason Nichols
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF/INF

#7 Max Laney
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#13 Andres Acuna
: 5' 11"; Freshman; R/R
: INF

#15 Carter Hogan
: 6' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: RHP

#20 Jay Rawlins
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; L/L
: LHP

#22 Cole Brandon
: 6' 2"; Freshman; L/L
: LHP

#24 Jake Pederson
: 6' 0"; Freshman; L/R
: OF

#27 Richard Fullerton
: 6' 2"; Freshman; R/R
: OF

#37 Talon Schaller
: 6' 3"; Freshman; R/R
: UT/RHP