The North Central Missouri College men’s baseball team finally got back on the diamond on Wednesday afternoon against Indian Hillls Community College. The Pirates lost eight games to rain last week.
“We lost a ton of games due to rain, so developmentally we are behind,” Head Coach James Arnold said. “I thought we competed well and really didn’t hurt ourselves too much on defense, but we have to hit better.”
In the opening game the Pirates lost 8-2. A tough third inning really put NCMC behind the eight ball – North Central allowed five runs in that inning.
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The Pirates squeaked across a run in the bottom of the fourth inning only to have Indian Hills score three runs in the top of the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fifth the Pirates added another run.
NCMC finished with just three hits for the game. Jason Hayes had a hit and two stolen bases and Jeffry Epperly chipped in with a double.
“We really struggled with the bats,” Arnold said. “We have to do a better job of selecting pitches to hit. We let a lot of fastballs go by.”
Jamie Fitzgerald took the loss. He turned in a respectable effort from the mound allowing three earned runs on five hits. Fitzgerald struck out four batters and walked three.
NCMC held a 5-2 lead heading into the sixth inning of the second game but could not close the deal.
Indian Hills scored a run in the top of the third and the Pirates answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, North Central took the lead with four runs. The Pirates’ offense was led by Justin Keeton, who had a homerun and Derrick Edmonds, who had a hit and two RBIs. Conrad Brock chipped in with a hit, an RBI and two stolen bases.
“We did a better job of hitting, but we still cannot waste a late-inning lead,” Arnold said. “On the other hand we are out competing and that is a good sign. We only committed three errors on the day, which is good.”
Joshua Munton got a no decision. He pitched 5 2/3 inning, allowing six hits and four earned runs. Munton struck out four and walked two.
“He threw a gem,” Arnold added.
Tyler Bolton took the loss in relief – going 11/3 innings allowing two runs.
The Pirates fall to 2-4 overall and return to action today in Kansas City against Maple Woods Community College.
