NOTES: After first loss, DC3 baseball opens KJCCC play at Colby

DC3's Jason Nichols rounds the bases after his home run against Otero on Wednesday at Cavalier Field in Dodge City.

DODGE CITY, Kan. -- The Dodge City Community College baseball team looks to bounce back after suffering its first of the season when the Conquistadors travel to open KJCCC play 1 p.m. Saturday at Colby.

DC3 BREAKDOWN (10-1, 0-0)

AVG: .371 (2nd in KJCCC) | OBP: .469 (2nd) | SB: 7 (18th) | ERA: 3.76 (3rd) | OPP AVG: .254 (3rd)
Individual Stats

- The Conqs suffered their first loss of the season Wednesday when they let a 7-3 lead slip away in the final three innings to Otero as the Rattlers scored 12 unanswered run to beat DC3 15-7. In the loss the Conq pitching staff walked a season-high eight to go along with allowing a season-high 13 hits. The 15 runs allowed is seven more runs than DC3 had allowed in a game this season.

- To go along with being second in the KJCCC in hitting and on-base percentage - DC3 is third in the conference in slugging percentage (.565).

- The Conqs have three of the top 15 hitters in the KJCCC in Jason Nichols (.464, 11th), Richard Fullerton (.459, 12th) and Max Laney (.448, 14th).

- Dodge City is just 7-for-15 in stolen base attempts this season. Andres Acuna leads the team with three stolen bases.

- The DC3 pitching staff isn't only in the top three in ERA and opponent's batting average in the KJCCC, but are also second in the conference in strikeouts per game at 11.51. Their two home runs allowed is first in the KJCCC.

- DC3's Matthew Perea is third in the conference in strikeouts per game (13.91).

- Projected DC3 starting pitchers for the four-game series versus Colby: Saturday - RHP Layne Downing (3-0, 2.45 ERA), LHP Matthew Perea (3-0, 0.82 ERA); Sunday - LHP Jay Rawlins (2-0, 0.00 ERA), LHP Cole Brandon (0-0, 5.91 ERA).

COLBY BREAKDOWN (10-4, 0-0)

AVG: .337 (7th) | OBP: .441 (4th) | SB: 22 (9th) | ERA: 5.42 (11th) | OPP AVG: .272 (5th)
Individual Stats

- Colby has dropped its last two games and three of its last four after starting the season 9-1. The Trojans lost the final game of a doubleheader at Odessa on Feb. 21, split a doubleheader at Lamar Feb. 27 and lost 9-8 at home to Lamar on Monday.

- Colby is in the top five in the KJCCC in both doubles (37, second) and triples (seven, fourth) - helping the Trojans rank fifth in extra-base hits (53).

- Marvin Malone is off to a strong start to the season as the sophomore outfielder is hitting .500 (fourth in the KJCCC) with three home runs, 26 RBI (second), 20 runs (third) and eight stolen bases (fourth). His 15 walks lead the KJCCC and his .623 on-base percentage ranks third in the conference.

- The Trojans' top arm early in the season has been Jeremy Gwinn. The sophomore is 2-0 with a 3.68 ERA, 36 strikeouts (third in the KJCCC) and only two walks in 22 innings. His 14.73 strikeouts per game is second in the KJCCC.

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

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

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

#27 Richard Fullerton: OF; 6' 2"; 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

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

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

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