MCC Softball’s offense explodes for 33 runs in doubleheader sweep over Rattlers

LA JUNTA, Colo. – The McCook Community College softball team pounded out 38 hits and scored 33 runs Friday to sweep Otero Junior College and 23-7 and 10-3.

"It's tough to beat us when our offense is producing that well," said MCC Coach Mike Mendenhall. "It was just a great day at the plate for us."

Freshman Andie Suhai (freshman Medicine Hat, Alberta) went six-for-seven on the afternoon, scoring eight runs and driving in four with a home run and a double. Sophomore Hailee Ruble (Delta, Colo.) was five-for-six with nine RBIs including a double and homer and sophomore Madisyn Simms (Maple Ridge, British Columbia) went six-for-10 with seven runs, five RBIs, and a double and home run.

"Andie didn't have the best day at the plate yesterday but really turned it on today," said Mendenhall. "Hailee and Simmy had a fantastic day at the plate as well."

Otero goes to 11-18 overall and 10-7 in Region IX.

MCC improves to 8-19 on the season, 5-8 in Region IX.

The two teams conclude their five-game series with a single game Saturday at 1 p.m.

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

GAME 1 – McCook CC 23, Otero JC 7: MCC revved up the offense early and kept it going with four runs in the first, three more in the second and seven in the third inning.

MCC got consecutive leadoff singles in the first from sophomores Nevaeh Ogden (Littleton Colo.), Madisyn Simms, and Andie Suhai, a sacrifice fly by sophomore Hailee Ruble and a two run single by freshman Ava Martinez (Houston, Texas). Simms and Suhai hit back-to-back home runs in the second to go up 7-0. After Otero scored four runs in the second, MCC scored seven times in the third – with two out. Cassidy Fife (Provo, Utah) closed out the scoring with a three-run home run to put MCC up 14-4.

Ruble pitched the first 2.1 innings for MCC allowing seven earned runs on eight hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Ruble hit a grand slam in the fourth to put MCC ahead 18-7 and added five runs in the fifth.

"Our pitchers threw well and they had to overcome some adversity," said Mendenhall. "We weren't great defensively, but our bats picked us up."

MCC collected 21 hits in five innings batting, led by four each by Ogden and Simms and three each by Suhai and Pennala with Ruble driving in six runs on her two hits. Suhai, Pennala and Fife all had three RBI games.

Isabella Robertson (Las Alamos, N.M.) pitched 2.2 innings, allowed one hit, one walk and she struck out two.

GAME 2 –McCook CC 10, Otero JC 3: MCC freshman Kalyn Jackson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) got the offense going in the second with one-out single. A walk and a single by Madisyn Simms loaded the bases for Andi Suhai, who was hit by a pitch to drive in the first run of the game. Hailee Ruble doubled in two and made in 4-0, scoring on a single from Emma Pennala (Kennewick, Wash.). Simms doubled in two runs in the third and Ruble delivered an RBI-single to put MCC up 8-0.

Singles by Suhai and Ruble in the fifth led to one run and MCC scored a final run in the seventh on a double from Suhai and an RBI-groundout by Cassidy Fife.

Freshman Ella Covill-Marter (Queensland, Australia) picked up the complete-game win allowing six hits in seven innings, two earned runs, three walks and she struck out eight Rattlers.

MCC had 17 hits in the game with three each by Suhai, Ruble and Pennala and two each by Ava Martinez, Jackson and Simms.