2017 Red Raven Baseball Opens Season

2017 Red Raven Baseball Opens Season

The 2017 Red Raven Baseball team opened up their 2017 season by posting a 2-1 record in their opening week.

To start their season, the Red Ravens traveled to Fort Smith Arkansas for a double header on Sunday, February 5th against Arkansas Baptist College.

In game one, the Red Ravens earned a 4-1 victory over the Buffaloes of Arkansas Baptist.  Red Raven sophomore left hand pitcher Sam Carver was on the mound for the Ravens and went a strong five innings allowing zero hits or runs with nine strikeouts.  Coffeyville's offensive punch was created by sophomore catcher Hunter Kellgren belting a two run home run in the seventh inning to push the Red Raven lead out to 3 in a 4-1 game.

Coffeyville suffered their first loss of the year in game two against Arkansas Baptist, losing 5-2.  Starting pitching for the Red Ravens was again strong with freshmen right hander Gavin Heltemes going a tough 4 innings allowing one run on two hits while striking out four.  The Red Ravens got on the board early with a 2-0 lead in the first inning behind singles from red shirt freshmen Antonio Culotta, sophomore Bryan Miranda and sophomore Jose Carrasquillo, but were not able to hold on in later innings and ended up with the 5-2 loss.

The second win of the season came in a road game against Emporia State's JV on Tuesday, February 7th.  The Red Ravens earned the victory with a 4-1 win.  The theme of good starting pitching for the Red Ravens continued with sophomore right hander Josh Mapel going five innings giving up six hits and one earned run.  Offensively, Coffeyville was powered by sophomore Braden Kirkpatrick who went 3-4 at the plate with two doubles, a triple, and two runs scored.

Next up for the Red Ravens will be their 2017 home opener which is scheduled for Friday, February 10th.  Coffeyville is scheduled to play a double header against the Grizzlies of Butler County with games times set for 1:00 and 4:00 pm at Walter Johnson Park.