FCB Juniors win before Area 7 begins in McCook

McCook First Central Bank’s Max Van Stelton (14) scores a crucial run while the ball (left) eludes Alma Mudcat catcher Kyson Bose during Monday’s 13-12 FCB victory at the Jaycees Complex. Area 7 district play starts in McCook Friday.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Monday’s 13-12 win over the Alma Mudcats confirmed what coach James Mockry believes about his First Central Bank Juniors entering Area 7 tourney play.

“I like where we are. We are where we want to be,” Mockry said as his team hosts this Class B state-qualifying tourney starting on Friday at the Jaycees Complex.

The Juniors (7-16 record) will only be seeded fourth among five teams competing.

However, Mockry knows its an all-out even pursuit to somehow upset No. 1-seed Alliance.

The Juniors start against No. 5 Chadron Friday at 7 p.m.

“They’re a scrappy team but we will be ready,” Mockry said. “Being the No. 4 seed, it means we can be playing every day right through the area finals (next Tuesday).”

McCook FCB totaled 10 hits and showed the toughness to take avenge an earlier defeat against those Mudcats.

Every starter reached base at least one, in fact, every starter scored at least one run.

Cooper Rupp’s best game featured two hits with two RBIs while Trevan Rundle ripped a huge two-RBI, opposite-field triple to plate those final tallies.

The Juniors withstood a final wild Mudcat comeback when Jordan Pollmann alert.ly threw out Alma’s final hitter who was trying to stretch his single into a double. Watch for more in upcoming editions.