MCC Baseball wins fourth straight Region IX series with 10-inning win over Western Nebraska

SCOTTSBLUFF – The McCook Community College baseball team won a 10-inning decision Saturday over Western Nebraska to win its fourth straight Region IX series. MCC won 7-5 Saturday to win the series 2-1.

"It was a pretty fun game today," said MCC Coach Jon Olsen. "In a tight game we really had to make some plays late, and we made them defensively, made some big pitches, and couple big swings – exactly what we need to do to win close games."

Freshman Michael Quick (Oshawa, Ontario) delivered the game-winning RBI with a two-run single in the 10^th to break a 4-4 tie and sophomore Ethan Murdoch (Swift Current, Saskatchewan) doubled in an insurance run.

"It was just really happy with the way we battled," said Olsen.

MCC scored twice in the first inning as Quick led off the game with a single. Murdoch doubled Quick to third and they both scored on an RBI single by Josh Maysonave (Austin, Texas).

The Cougars scored three times in the bottom of the first to take a 3-2 lead after an error and a pair of home runs off MCC freshman starter Aiden Johnson (Westminster, Colo.).

MCC tied the game in the third on a two-out Cougar error and an RBI-double from sophomore Daegen Morcom (Winnipeg, Manitoba).

Johnson shut out the Cougars after the first and went six innings, allowed five hits, one earned run, two walks and he struck out seven.

Western Nebraska took a 4-3 lead in the seventh on sophomore reliever Owen Lester (St. Charles, Ill.). After retiring the first two hitters he surrendered a solo home run. He allowed three hits in his inning of work and struck out one.

MCC responded in the eighth with a run to tie the game 4-4. With two on and two out Quick delivered an RBI-double.

Jereniel Herrera (freshman, Panama City, Panama) came on in relief in the eighth and ninth to send the game into extra innings.

"I thought we pitched really well today, it was tough day to pitch and our three guys really competed on the mound," said Olsen. "It wasn't our best weekend at the plate but good to see when we are struggling at the plate to find other ways to win."

Sophomore Abel Reyes (sophomore, Puerto Caimito, Panama) led off the 10^th inning with a single. Pinch hitter Jason Serafinchon (Spruce Grove, Alberta) followed with a single and sophomore Tyus Chudomelka (Bellevue) walked to load the bases for MCC's leadoff hitter, Quick, who was designated hitter in this game. He hit a 1-1 pitch into left field to drive in his third run of the game. After a doubleplay, Murdoch delivered his two-out double.

Herrera gave up on run in the 10^th but picked up the win allowing three hits and a run in three innings of relief. He walked four and struck out two.

Quick led MCC's 12-hit offense with three hits. Murdoch had two.

Western Nebraska goes to 6-15 in the Empire League and 7-28 overall.

MCC goes to 26-14 and 16-8 in the Empire League.

MCC will travel to Norfolk Monday for a game at Northeast Community College. On Tuesday MCC will be home to play Colby Community College in a nine-inning game starting at 3 p.m.

For all the up-to-date information on MCC baseball this season including up-to-date scheduling changes, statistics, rosters and photos, please visit the official website of MCC Athletics at mccindians.com