MCC baseball squad sweeps home twin-bill

Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette McCook Community College pitcher Alex Murphy delivers the baseball to home plate against the Hastings College junior varsity at the Jaycees Sports Complex in McCook Tuesday, March 1. MCC swept a double-header by scores of 8-0 and 5-2.

Strong starts were keys to a double-header sweep for the McCook Community College men's baseball team Tuesday, March 1.

The Indians swept two games from the Hastings College junior varsity in the first home games of the 2011 season for MCC. McCook blanked Hastings, 8-0, in the opener, and the hosts won a 5-2 decision in the second game.

MCC head coach Jon Olsen said his squad got started on the right foot in the opener. In the bottom of the first inning, leadoff hitter Eric Montes was hit by a pitch. After Montes stole second, Hastings recorded two quick outs. David DeCarlo then drilled a double down the left field line to knock in Montes.

MCC freshman Brandon Nickolite his a two-strike single up the middle to score DeCarlo.

The Indians added another run in each the second and third innings. MCC then scored two runs in each of the fifth and sixth frames to put the game away.

Sophomore Matt Stachura started the game on the mound for MCC. Stachura, a right-hander, picked up his second win of the season against one loss. Matt worked five scoreless innings, giving up two hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Alex Murphy worked in relief of Stachura.

Game 2 was nearly a carbon copy of the opener. The Indians took an early lead in the second inning after David DeCarlo singled to lead off the inning. DeCarlo stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt Rohrig.

In the bottom of the third, Eric Montes launched a ball over the left field fence to give MCC a 2-0 lead. Brody Hilgenkamp then walked, stole second, and scored on a double by Tommy Barnes.

The Indians struck again in the fourth, scoring two runs to increase the lead to 5-0.

Sophomore right-hander J.J. Jaramillo took the mound with an 0-2 record on the year. Jaramillo pitched well in three complete innings of work to get the win.

Michael Brown closed out the game for MCC by striking out the side in the seventh inning. Brown earned his second save of the season. He has not allowed a run in 5 2/3 innings pitched on the season. Brown has allowed just three 3 hits while striking out four opposing batters.

Upcoming schedule

McCook returns to the diamond Saturday, March 5, in the Empire Conference season-opener at Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colorado. The first pitch of the double-header is set to begin at 1 p.m. CST.

The Indians have several home games scheduled next week, starting with a double-header with Colby (Kansas) C.C. Tuesday, March 8, at the Jaycees Sports Complex (3 p.m. start).

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