FCB Juniors double up Lex, 10-5, with potent bats

LEXINGTON, Neb. — With six batting above .300 so far this season, the First Central Bank Juniors are clearly hitting their stride five games into this Legion baseball season.

On Tuesday, the Juniors fell behind 1-0 then plated 10 unanswered runs over four innings for their 10-5 denting of Lexington Heartland Chevrolet.

Kooper Rakes crushed three doubles, drove in three runs and Grady Miller smashed another three hits to lead the Juniors’ second win (2-3).

“We really turned it on. We kept tacking on runs which is a big key,” coach James Mockry explained as the Juniors plated two, four, two and two again in four frames.

“Kooper is a doubles machine,” he added. “Grady puts the ball in play and makes the defense make a play. And we have some other (younger) guys who are already playing really well at this level.”

Pitcher Simon Garcia’s one of the experienced Juniors returning.

He pitched like a Verlander-type veteran Tuesday evening.

Garcia struck out nine, walked only two and permitted just one Lexington run through five innings.

Lexington scattered six innings but only one went for extra bases all game.

“He (Garcia) was just locating his fastball,” former McCook and collegiate pitcher Mockry said. “He threw a couple of sliders. It was mainly his fastball, jamming guys and our defense made the plays.”

FCB was not charged with one defensive error compared to five Lexington flubs.

Besides two hits and two RBIs, Cole Walter handled second base while Noah Mashek played some smooth shortstop for Mockry’s team.

The Juniors are playing without starting infielder Trenton Raile, who’s recovering from a concussion.

“Don’t get me wrong, we have a lot to work on,” Mockry proclaimed. “But I am thoroughly impressed with our defense through five games.”

Leadoff man/catcher Asher Wilson added a hit, two walks and two runs scored.

Jaret Neben joined Mashek and Garcia in delivering one hit apiece among McCook’s 12.

They each scored a run as did Espn Hall following his own walk.

Trey Tiller and Garcia each batted home another FCB run. The Juniors now take a game break until hosting Gothenburg Melons Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

“Then we really get into the meat of our schedule from there,” the coach concluded.