By Brad Hallier
The Hutchinson Community College baseball team’s impressive run to the Region 6 championship ended Sunday at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium, as Johnson County raced to a big lead early and beat Hutchinson 14-6 in the decisive championship game.
The Blue Dragons, who won the Jayhawk West championship in coach Brock Nehls’ first season, were sent to the tournament’s loser’s bracket immediately after a 5-3 loss Wednesday to Barton. But the Blue Dragons responded with five straight wins, including an 11-8 win Saturday against Johnson County in the first championship game.
But the Blue Dragons pitching staff was taxed, as they needed five pitchers to get through the game.
Johnson County scored three runs in each of the first three innings and at least one in each of the first seven innings.
The Blue Dragons had 11 hits, with Luis Pimentel-Guerrero going 4 for 5 with two doubles. Blake Bradford had a double and two RBIs.
The Blue Dragons finish the season 51-13
