Pitcher fans 14 in 2-1 MCC road win

TRINIDAD, Colo. – The McCook Community College baseball team knocked off division-leading Trinidad State Friday in the opening game of a three-game series, 2-1.

The teams were supposed to play a pair of games Friday but after a two-hour hail delay before play began, and a 50-minute delay during the game, the teams decided to play a nine-inning game.

Freshman Isaac Vargas (Greeley, Colo.) limited the Trojans to four singles over eight innings and struck out 14 hitters. He got relief help from redshirt

Freshman Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli, (Austin, Texas) who not only picked up the save but drove in both runs on a solo home run and an RBI-single.

“We had another great performance from Isaac Vargas,” MCC baseball coach Jon Olsen said. “This is his third conference start in a row he has only given up one run.”

Chiapparelli broke up a scoreless tie to lead off the fifth inning with a home run to left field and delivered a two-out single in the sixth to double the Indian lead.

MCC had 10 hits on the afternoon led by the top three Indians in the order with two hits each including Clark-Chiapparelli, sophomore Julio Seperich (Las Vegas) and sophomore transfer Ricardo Jimenez, (Hialeah, Fla.)

“We really pitched and defended today,” Olsen said.

Trinidad State goes to 13-13 overall, and 7-3 in the Empire League.

The Indians improve to 7-11 and 5-7 in conference play.

Watch for more weekend results in Tuesday’s Gazette.