MCC Baseball downs Cougars 12-5 to sweep final regular-season region series

The McCook Community College baseball team wrapped up the Region IX schedule at home Sunday with a 12-5 win over Western Nebraska to sweep the three-game series.

MCC, which finished second in the Empire Conference North Standings, will host a first-round best-of-three cross-division playoff series starting Friday against Lamar Community College, which finished third in the Empire Conference South Standings.

On Sunday, Western Nebraska took the lead with a first-inning single and a two-run home run but MCC responded with six runs in the first and four more in the third.

"We had a big first inning and we just got off on the right foot, I thought our guys were locked in all weekend, just really good to see," said MCC Coach Jon Olsen.

In the bottom of the first, MCC got a two-run home run by Ethan Murdoch (Swift Current, Saskatchewan) and a grand slam home run by freshman Jake Quinlivan (Sydney, Australia) to put MCC up 6-2. For Murdoch it was his 16^th home run of the year.

In the third, MCC manufactured four runs to lead 10-2. After two walks and an error, freshman Orlando Diaz (Cidra, Puerto Rico) singled in a run. Freshman Michael Quick (Oshawa, Ontario) drove in a run on a groundout and Murdoch drove in two with a two-out single.

After allowing two first-inning runs, MCC sophomore starter Jelle Bing (Heerhugowaard, Netherlands) shut down the Cougar offense in the second through fifth innings. He picked up the win on the mound allowing three hits and two earned runs over five innings, walking two and striking out four. After pitching in 12 games this season in relief, this was Bing's first start of the year and with the win he improves to 2-0 on the year.

"It was really good to see Jelle throw so well in his first start of the year," said Olsen. "He was really good, he attacked hitters and set the tone."

Freshman Zack Lane (Phoenix, Ariz.) pitched the final four innings allowing three runs in the seventh to make it a 10-5 MCC lead.

MCC added a run in the seventh on an RBI single from freshman Jackson Yeager (Omaha Westside) and one in the eighth on a solo home run by Quinlivan, his second of the game and third of the year.

"It was great to see Jake have a great day today, he hit a couple balls really well with that big grand slam in the first inning," said Olsen.

Lane picked up the four-inning save, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks. He struck out one.

MCC had 12 hits in the game with three by Yeager and two by Murdoch, Quinlivan and freshman Blake Dale (Riverton, Wyo.). Murdoch had four RBIs and Quinlivan five.

The Cougars fall to 11-37 overall and 9-23 in Region IX play. Western Nebraska will take on top-seeded Trinidad State on the road in their best-of-three series.

MCC improves to 33-20 and closes out its record in region play at 22-12.

"I'm excited for one more game tomorrow and then getting locked in for the first round this weekend," said Olsen.

MCC will close out the regular season Monday at home against Colby starting at 2 p.m.

This weekend MCC will host Lamar in the best-of-three cross-divisional playoffs starting at 2 p.m. Friday and a doubleheader Saturday (if necessary) starting at 1 p.m.

In the other first round matchup Northeastern Junior College travels to La Junta, Colo., to take on Otero. Luna Community College was disqualified from post-season play so top-seeded Southeastern Junior College receives a bye into the round of four.

This weekend's other three winners will advance to the Region IX final four tournament in Windsor, Colo. May 12-13.

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