Box Score WICHITA – Neosho County Community College leadoff batter and center fielder Darian Abram made his presence felt early and often in Friday's 13-3 win over Allen County Community College in the second round of the Region VI Tournament.
The sophomore went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored as the Panthers used a 10-run sixth inning to propel the No. 4-ranked team within two wins of going to Grand Junction, Colo.
Allen County left-handed pitcher Jake Butterfield limited the Neosho offense in the early going. It wasn't until the fourth inning when Neosho finally put a run on the scoreboard.
"That left-hander was the same kid who beat us the first time," Coach Steve Murry said. "We knew it was going to be a chore. He held us at bay for a while, and then we started getting to him. Once they came with their relief, we started hitting and strung a bunch together."
The Red Devils struck with two runs off an error by shortstop Josh Norlin in the top of the third.
In the fourth, freshman catcher Cooper Minnick jumpstarted the frame with a single and four batters later Abram doubled, driving in a pair of runs to tie the game at two.
"Darian put together a real good game," Murry said. "He's turned it on in the last week or so. He's been feeling the swing, so I was very enthused with him especially against a left-hander."
Sophomore first baseman Ryan Toliver backed up Abrams' hit with an RBI single of his own to put the Panthers in front 3-2.
The score remained the same until the sixth inning.
The Neosho County infield committed its third error of the game and it aided the Red Devils in tying the game at three.
"Our middle infielders compete every game," Murry said. "Three errors between them is no secret, and one was a routine fly ball. I leave that as first-game jitters, but we did what we've done all year – overcome mistakes. As long as you hit in more than you let in, we'll be fine."
That's exactly what Neosho did in the bottom half of the inning.
The Panthers pounded out 10 runs and forced Allen County to use three different pitchers in the inning.
In all, the Panthers collected 16 hits.
In addition to Abram's four, Toliver added three, while freshmen Evan Bourn, Aaron Dees and Cooper Minnick tallied two apiece. Toliver also drove in three runs.
Sophomore pitcher Trent Latta went the distance for the Panthers. He struck out five, walked two and surrendered only one earned run.
The win also pushed the Panthers over the 50-win mark for the first time in school history.
Neosho County (50-9) will face Kansas City Kansas Community College (41-18) tonight in the semifinal round of the Region VI Tournament. First pitch is slated for 7 pm at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.