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A tip helps MNB Seniors hold off Holdrege, 4-3
McCOOK, Neb. — Alex Anthony’s laser shot to left field echoed across the diamond...
But it was one little foul tip that caused real chaos for Holdrege while challenging the McCook National Bank Seniors Thursday night.
A Holdrege baserunner had just stolen second base in what become 4-3 drama under the Jaycee Complex bright lights.
Focus was soon lost because an umpire accurately called “foul tip” — causing that Holdrege runner to believe the steal was erased.
He began his return to first base when MNB alertly realized the potential tying run is strolling into no man’s land!
Shortstop Adam Dugger quickly turned this play into the dreaded “pickle” where runners have no hope of escaping safely.
After some wild pursuit, the Holdrege runner was called “out!” along with perhaps any plans to force a 4-4 tie.
Reliever Jordan Chauncy made sure there would be no more comebacks.
Chauncy struck out seven during the final three innings where Holdrege never got another hit.
The last batter tapped a back ball to Chauncy, who calmly finished MNB’s 4-3 home win.
“When Jordan just pounds the strike zone, there aren’t many guys around here who are going to hit him,” MNB coach Kaden Sitzman declared.
Chauncy finished a combined two-hitter as Anthony pitched the first four frames.
A.A. permitted only one earned run and showed he could handle bases-loaded pressure.
Anthony calmly caught the next batter looking at a third strike, preserving MNB’s 4-3 lead.
Sitzman obviously wanted to see more hits from his lineup. McCook was fresh from 11-1, 10-0 trouncings of Smith Center, Kan., Friday night.
Jacob Gomez-Wilson’s bunt single started a big second inning Thursday evening.
Tanner Jacobs sent a 3-2 pitch slicing into left-center field. The double sent Gomez-Wilson sprinting home for one MNB run.
Layne Stevens promptly chopped a well-placed single to right field which scored Jacobs.
Dugger was soon plunked with an inside pitch and Anthony’s sharp single to center loaded the bases.
Yet other than Carter Larson’s RBI-grounder, MNB did not plate another run during those final four-plus innings.
“We hit the ball all over against Smith Center,” Sitzman explained. “These guys can do it. We just need to be more consistent.”
Anthony absolutely punished a baseball as he sent it sizzling over the head of Holdrege left fielder Cade Kirwan.
The ball hit that outfield fence for Anthony’s fifth-inning double.
Jayden Gonzalez soon launched another rocket targeted into left — only to shortstop Cole Guthrie catch this line drive.
The Seniors (6-4 record) settled for six hits. They took an earlier 1-0 lead when Jacobs walked and advanced around those bases on three errant Holdrege pitches.
Anthony totaled two hits with one each from Payton Dellevoet, Jacobs, Stevens and Gomez-Wilson.
The Seniors are set to host another game tonight when Cozad visits. First pitch is again scheduled at 8 p.m.