Unfortunately for the Cougars, they were on the wrong side of the scoreboard as Lamar claimed a action-packed first game 21-16, scoring five runs in the seventh inning for the win.
Lamar continued swinging a hot bat in game two, claiming a 9-2 win to sweep the doubleheader. WNCC, though, still is third in conference standings, tied with Otero and Trinidad, who all have 12-14 records. Lamar is second at 18-10, while Northeastern Colorado is 18-6, after play Saturday, which also featured NJC sweeping Otero, and Trinidad splitting with McCook.
WNCC, however, could have easily earned a split with the offensive production they produced in the opening game.
“When you score 16 runs in a ball game, that should be a win for sure,” coach Mike Jones said. “Unfortunately for us, we didn’t pitch real well and didn’t play very good defense in that first game and it got away from us. Offensively, though, we did a great job.”
WNCC finished the game with 19 hits compared to 21 for Lamar. The Cougars also left just seven base runners on base and were in control of the game several times, including leading 11-5 after three innings, after the Cougars put up six runs on seven hits in the third inning.
Most of the damage the Cougars did in the third inning game with two outs. The Cougars rattled off five straight hits to open up the game, including RBI singles by David Monteagudo, Norbert Susini and Carlso Garcia, and a two-run scoring double by Rich Miller to put the Cougars up 11-5.
WNCC added to the score by scoring two more runs in the fourth inning to go up 13-7. The Cougars, however, couldn’t hold the lead as Lamar scored nine runs in the fifth inning on just three hits. Zach Krueger, who played for the Chappell American Legion baseball team, picked up two hits in the inning including a double and four RBIs. Lamar led 16-13 at that point.
The Cougars, however, rallied back tying the game with two runs in the fifth and a single run in the sixth. In the fifth, Chris Hook started things with an one-out single followed by singled by Aurelio Monteagudo and Greg Crowe to slice the led to 16-15.
Susini then gave the Cougars live in the sixth as he smacked a solo home run to tie the game. But, WNCC couldn’t hold the lead as Lamar scored five times in the seventh inning for the victory.
WNCC had plenty of offensive heroes in the game. Susini went 4-for-4 with three runs scored, four RBIs, two singles, a double and a home run. Hook finished the game going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, three runs scored and three singles, followed by Crowe with a 3-for-4 game, including two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Also collecting multiple hits for the Cougars were Rudy Soto with a double and single, and David Monteagudo with two singles, two runs scored and two RBIs.
Lamar was paced by its eight and nine hitters. Sam Sena scored five times, while going 3-for-3 with two walks and four RBIs, while Evan Claus went 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, four runs scored and two RBIs.
Marco Jimenez took the loss, throwing 2 2/3 innings and giving up six runs and seven hits.
In the second game, WNCC had trouble keeping that first-game offensive attack alive as Lamar’s pitcher Brandon Van Riper shut down the Cougar bats, holding them to two runs and eight hits, while striking out six.
“There did a nice job of shutting us down in the second game,” Jones said. “Unfortunately for us, I think it was carry over from the first game. I think after putting up the 16 runs and still not coming out with the win, I think it really deflated us. You shouldn’t be like that. But as young ball players, they get down on themselves at times and I think it took a toll on us. Lamar did a great job of following up the first game and sticking it to us.”
WNCC took an early 1-0 lead as Crowe belted a solo home run in the second inning. That, though, was the end of the party for the Cougars as Lamar added three runs in the third and fifth inning to grab a 6-2 lead. The Runnin’ Lopes, then, added three insurance runs in the sixth for the victory.
Kyler Edgehouse took the loss despite giving a gutsy effort. Edgehouse went five innings, scattering six hits and striking out four.
Offensively, Crowe went 2-for-2 with a home run, single and a walk, followed by Miller with a 2-for-4 game, including a double.
Both teams will be back on the diamond Sunday in a doubleheader at noon at Cleveland Field. Jones said that Jackson Salazar and Jake Vulk will get the nods on the mound.
“We have to try put this behind us and come out and play better tomorrow. We will need better pitching. We gave up 30 runs in two games and that can’t happen. We have to come out and pitch a lot better tomorrow and let our offense settle in.”
First Game
Lamar 142 090 5 – 21 21 0
WNCC 416 221 0 – 16 19 2
WP – Mike Ramirez, LP – Jimenez; 2B – WNCC (Soto, Susini, Miller, Garcia, Crowe 2), Lamar (Krueger, Jim Morgan 2, Josh Payne, John Callahan, Sena 2, Claus); HR – WNCC (Susini), Lamar (J. Morgan, Sena).
Second Game
Lamar 003 033 0 – 9 11 1
WNCC 010 010 0 – 2 8 1
WP – Mike Ramirez, LP – Edgehouse; 2B – WNCC (Miller); HR – WNCC (Crowe), Lamar (Daniel Neumann).
No comments:
Post a Comment