Pratt Community College baseball started the 2018 season with a game against Kansas Wesleyan University JV. The Beaver offense was explosive against KWU putting runs up in five of seven innings. PCC takes the win 14-4 in seven innings.

Ben Van Diest started the scoring in the first inning for the Blue and White with a triple that drove in Trace Maddux. Kenneth Gonzalez brought Van Diest home with a single to give the Beavers a 2-0 lead after an inning played. PCC scored again in the third and fifth innings to take a 6-1 lead into the sixth. Kansas Wesleyan answered in the top of the sixth with three runs of their own. In the bottom of the sixth, Pratt's offense came alive and scored seven runs.

The Blue and White ended the game in the bottom of the seventh. Van Diest was walked with one out. He then stole second. Gonzalez found a gap and drove a single to left field to put runners on the corners. Gonzalez stole second to take away the double play chance, but Van Diest was not able to advance. Sean Johnson then doubled to right field to bring in Van Diest for the run rule walk off win for PCC.

Defensively, the Beavers threw four pitchers who combined for five strike outs, gave up eight hits and allowed four runs. Riley Hill gets the opening game win against KWU with three innings pitched. Quentin Kopjar held his own against KWU and led the relievers by striking out two batters while giving up one hit, one walk and no runs to KWU.

The offense was firing for the Blue and White against KWU. As a team, Pratt got 14 runs on 14 hits while leaving six runners on base. PCC also had four walked batters and only two strikeouts.

Player of the game goes to Johnson. Johnson went three for three at the plate with three hits, five RBIs and a walk. Other than the walk-off double, Johnson's day was highlighted with a two run home run in the third inning.

PCC baseball travels to Bethany College on Feb. 11 before returning to Stanion Field on Feb. 13 against Hesston. First pitch for both games is set for 1 p.m.