Late grand slam leads Indians over Broncbusters
The McCook Community College baseball team went up 5-0 after three innings, saw the lead whittle away, then got a pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth inning by freshman Jakoby Hamer (Edmonton, Alberta) to down Garden City Community College 9-4 Tuesday at home.
“It was good to get out and play this afternoon, and I really liked how many guys contributed today,” said MCC Coach Jon Olsen. “We threw eight arms and I thought all of them did a nice job.”
The MCC pitching staff allowed eight hits, walked four and struck out nine.
“Our pitching definitely let us keep the lead and then get a big swing to break it open in the eighth,” said Olsen.
Freshman Isiah Lopez (Midland, Texas) started the game on the mound and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.
Sophomore Connor Charvat (Omaha, Neb.) singled to lead off the second inning, went to second on a walk, advanced to third on a flyout and scored on an RBI-single by sophomore Chase (CJ) Williams (Brampton, Ontario).
Sophomore Kayden Frizzell (Littleton, Colo.) gave up no runs and two walks in the third.
The Indians added four runs in the third inning. Sophomore Ben Heathcock (Little Elm, Texas) singled to lead off the inning and Corbin Lochhead (Vegreville, Alberta) drew a walk in front of a two-run double by Charvat. Freshman Lucas Munns (Toronto, Ontario) singled and Charvat scored on an outfield error and the Indians went up 5-0 on an RBI-ground out by Kon Yoshimura (Nagasaki, Japan).
Freshman Justin Ackerman (Parksville, British Columbia) walked one and fanned three in the fourth inning.
Freshman Tyler Parent (Newmarket, Ontario) gave up the first two GCCC runs in the fifth inning, on a walk, a single an error and a strikeout. Timmy Hunt (freshman, Ashland, Neb.) struck out two and gave up a hit in the sixth inning. Sophomore Kaden Noble (Orillia, Ontario) gave up a run in the seventh. He allowed one hit and struck out a hitter in his inning worked.
Sophomore reliever Colby Kaplan (Parker, Colo.) was greeted by a solo home run to lead off the eighth inning but left the game with MCC leading 5-4. He pitched one inning, allowed two hits and struck out one.
Yoshimura walked and Williams singled to lead off the MCC eighth. Cutler walked with one out to load the bases for Hamer, who came off the bench and hit the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for a pinch-hit grand slam homer. It was Hamer’s 12 home run of the season.
“It was a pretty good day for Hamer, to see one pitch and hit a grand slam, but we had a couple nice AB’s leading up to the Grand slam, CJ had a great bunt for a hit. Kieren drew an-11 pitch walk to load the bases, and those two at bats were huge for us.”
Freshman Santiago Rodriguez (Okotoks, Alberta) wrapped up the ninth inning allowing one hit.
Garden City goes to 16-24.
MCC improves to 28-9 and evens the season-series with Garden City 1-1. The Indians are 14-4 at the Jaycees Sports Complex this season and also improve to 8-1 in mid-week games, with the only loss coming at Garden City (15-9) on March 24.
“I really like our midweek games. I think it keeps us sharp and gives us the opportunity to have a deep team both on the mound and from the position-player side too,” said Olsen. “It was good to see our guys put the last couple in the ‘W’ column, and it will be good to get back out this weekend and be back in league.”
The Indians return to Region IX play this weekend with a trip to Trinidad, Colo., to take on Trinidad State for doubleheaders Friday and Saturday with first pitch at 2 p.m. both days. MCC is 9-3 in the Region IX standings, one game back of Northeastern JC (10-2). Trinidad State is (4-8, 11-28) tied for sixth in the standings.
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