Hutchinson CC Sports Information

COFFEYVILLE – Sophomores Wyatt Divis and Julian Rip delivered the key hits to power the No. 7-ranked Hutchinson Community College baseball team to its fifth-straight Opening Day victory on Thursday.

Divis and Rip drove in three runs each as the Blue Dragons defeated Coffeyville 12-1 in seven innings on Opening Day 2018 on Thursday at Walter Johnson Park. The Blue Dragons and Red Ravens conclude their three-game opening series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Friday.

Tied at 1 into the fourth inning, Divis gave the Dragons the lead for good with a three-run double to cap a five-run fourth inning.

Then in the fifth, Rip hit his fourth career home run, a three-run shot, to highlight a four-run fifth and give the Blue Dragons a 10-1 lead.

The Blue Dragon bullpen came through after starter Zach Moore had to leave the game at 2-3 inning. Freshman Matt Hopkins earned the victory with 3 1-3 innings of work. Hopkins struck out five and walked two allowing two hits and one run. Ryan Summers pitched three scoreless innings to earn a save with three strikeouts, three walks and one hit allowed.

The Dragons pounded out 11 hits in the season opener.

Divis led the way going 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIS. Rip was 1 for 4 with a homer and three driven in.

Brock Schaffer went 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs. Freshman Dylan Nedved had two hits in his Blue Dragon debut. Eight of 9 blue Dragons had at least one hit.