Indians fight off WNCC Cougars

McCook Community College’s Chris Bellemare (19) receives congratulations from teammates following his fourth-inning home run that made it a 4-0 lead over the Western Nebraska Community College Cougars at McCook’s Jaycees Complex on Tuesday. The Indians earned their 10th win this season and started a homestand carrying through this weekend. More details about upcoming games are included in game story at left.

Brent Cobb/MCC

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College baseball team got timely hitting, solid pitching and sharp defense Tuesday as the Indians downed Western Nebraska 6-4.

Starting pitcher Connor McGonigal (Omaha Burke) delivered seven strong innings, Michael Sookdeo (Brampton, Ontario) delivered a pair of two-out, two-run hits, Chris Bellemare (Grande-Carriere, Quebec) powered a solo home run and Tyler Cox (Mississauga, Ontario) came on to close the win.

After two out in the bottom of the first inning, Jake Sanford (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) drew a walk. Mathew Tremblay (Saint Charles, Quebec) singled to centerfield and Bellemare doubled down the leftfield line to give the Indians a 1-0 lead.

Sookdeo followed with a two-run single to right to make it 3-0.

Bellemare led off the fourth inning with a solo McGonigal went seven innings, allowed six hits, one walk and two earned runs. He struck out five.

The Indians improve to 10-17 with this home win.

The homestand continues Thursday with Garden City Comes to town for a 3 p.m. game at the Jaycees Sports Complex.

This weekend, MCC plays Trinidad State in a three-game series with a single game Saturday starting at 1 p.m. and a pair of seven-inning games Sunday, starting at 1 p.m.