Indians sweep first pair, but split Texas trip

DALLAS, Texas – The McCook Community College baseball team opened the season with a doubleheader sweep over North Lake College by the scores of 5-2 and 9-7.

“It was great to start off the season with two wins,” MCC Coach Jon Olsen said.

Freshman left-hander Isaac Vargas (Greeley, Colo.) started on the mound and picked up the win as the Indians scored a pair of runs in the fourth to break up a 1-1 tie and added two more in the sixth.

“We did a great job on the mound in game one, Vargas was really good for five innings,” Olsen said. “He really gave us a great start.”

“In game two we only gave up two hits but got hurt by the walk, but we worked through it, our bullpen was lights out with three scoreless innings in game two when we needed it in a tie game and later up two runs,” Olsen said.

Freshman JR Maldonado (Las Vegas) broke up a 7-7 tie in the sixth inning of the second game to put MCC in the lead for good. Sophomore Shaun Hickey (Summerville, New Brunswick) picked up the save with a scoreless inning of relief.

“Defensively we only made one error all day, and our infield played really well.” Olsen said.

Olsen said a lot of new guys saw action Friday including two freshmen starting pitchers.

“It was great to get all those new guys out there,” Olsen said. “Now we need to have another good day and keep the momentum for opening weekend going.”

The 2-0 Indians face off in another double header against North Lake College Saturday at 1 p.m.

Saturday

After a 2-0 start to the season on Friday (in 37-degree weather), the McCook Community College baseball team dropped a pair of games Saturday losing 3-1 and 5-0 to North Lake College.

“Offensively we were bad,” MCC Coach Jon Olsen said. “We left 26 runners on base in 14 innings including the bases loaded five times on the day.”

That total included 15 stranded runners in the first game and 11 in the second.

“We won’t beat anyone doing that. To win, our guys need to be able to deliver when it matters.” Olsen said. “I couldn’t be more disappointed in letting the weekend slip away.”

The Indians were able to get eight hits, five walks and reach base three times on errors in the first game and had four hits, nine walks and reached base once on an error in the second game.

“Our focus and want to be there definitely didn’t show up, which is puzzling since it was the first weekend, and we were coming off a (Friday) sweep,” Olsen said. “The Mentality definitely needs to get better.”

Weather permitting, the 2-2 Indians are scheduled to open the home portion of the schedule Wednesday at the Jaycees Sports Complex against Colby Community College at 3 p.m. This weekend MCC hits the road to Labette Community College for a doubleheader Saturday and a single-game Sunday.

GAME 1 – North Lake Community College 3, McCook CC 1: The Blazers scored all the runs they needed with a three-run second inning on five straight walks.

Sophomore Jesse Bloom (Centennial, Colo.) (0-1) started the game on the mound pitching five innings, allowing three hits, three earned runs while striking out five and walking six. Freshman Caleb Keck (Rittman, Ohio) pitched a scoreless inning in relief walking one batter and striking out one.

Weather could affect upcoming Indian games. Watch for more details this week.