Indians top Dodge City; improve to 17-5
DODGE CITY, Kan. – The McCook Community College baseball team won their third straight road game, claiming a 7-1 win Tuesday over Dodge City Community College.
Sophomore transfer (Eastern Arizona), Hunter Southey (Auckland, New Zealand) smashed a three-run home run to extend his on-base streak to 12 straight plate appearances in the second inning to lead the offense and sophomore Tyler Reyburn (Frederick, Colo.) had a three-hit game. Six MCC pitchers combined to limit Dodge City to seven singles and a double, walked just one Conquistador and struck out six.
“Boy we really pitched it today. We threw six guys and all of them were really good,” said MCC Coach Jon Olsen. “Hunter got another big swing off for us early and then we pieced together a good four-spot in the fourth inning.”
After hitting for the cycle with two home runs Monday in Liberal, Southey continued his hot hitting in the second inning Tuesday, powering a three-run home run. It was the 12th straight at bat in which he had reached base. On Monday he homered twice, doubled, tripled, walked and singled. Last week against Northwest Oklahoma State he went two-for-two with a double, single, two walks and he was hit by a pitch.
Sophomore Tobey Cassino (Arvada, Colo.) got the start on the mound for MCC and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk with two strikeouts.
“Tobey got us out of a jam in the first inning and then we kind of rolled from there,” said Olsen.
Southey walked with one out in the fourth to start another MCC rally and extend his on-base streak to 13. With two outs, freshman Owen Weales (Bowmanville, Ontario), doubled in two runs to give MCC a 5-0 lead. Freshman Jakoby Hamer (Edmonton, Alberta) singled in Weales and sophomore Dalton Berg (Frederick, Colo.) singled home a run to put the Indians on top 7-0.
In the fifth inning, Southey’s on-base streak ended at 13 when he lined out to centerfield.
Mikah Targett (Sydney, New South Wales Australia) tossed three scoreless innings and didn’t allow a hit or a walk, he struck out one.
“Mikah was really good, and then we got good single innings from the last four guys,” said Olsen. “We only walked one on the day and any time you can do that you’ll give yourself a chance.”
Freshman Justin Ackerman (Parksville, British Columbia) relieved in the sixth inning and allowed an unearned run. He allowed one hit and fanned one. Freshman Santiago Rodriguez (Okotoks, Alberta) pitched a scoreless seventh inning, retiring the Conquistadores in order. Sophomore Colby Kaplan (Parker, Colo.) pitched a scoreless eighth with the help of his defense. He allowed three hits but a doubleplay erased one of the baserunners. He struck out one.
Freshman Timmy Hunt (Ashland, Neb.) closed out the ninth on the mound with a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.
MCC had 10 hits on the afternoon with three by sophomore Reyburn and two by freshman Kon Yoshimura (Nagasaki, Japan). Southey drove in three runs and Weales two.
“The only thing I was somewhat disappointed with was our offensive execution late,” said Olsen. “I thought we had a chance to score a little more and we just need to be better.”
Dodge City falls to 11-13 on the season
MCC improves to 17-5.
“It has been a good start, but it will be good to be back at home and start region this upcoming weekend,” said Olsen.
The Indians return home for the opening of the Region IX schedule Friday when they host Lamar Community College (12-14) for a pair of doubleheaders starting Friday at 1 p.m.
Up-to-date information about MCC baseball including up-to-date schedule and changes, livestream links for home games, rosters, photos, statistics and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com