MNB Seniors rain on Red Cloud

McCook offense

cranks out

four homers

HOLDREGE -- With the combination of an overpowering offense and superb pitching, the McCook National Bank Seniors easily cruised past Red Cloud 13-0 in the first round of the Class B Area 6 District baseball tournament on Thursday.

While MNB's Matt Beckenhauer shut down Red Cloud's offense from the mound, he struck out 10 of 17 batters on way to a one hitter, MNB's sluggers put on an awesome display with four home runs in the first two innings.

"He had a pretty good start for us," Wacker said of Beckenhauer. "He threw around the plate all night."

Despite his stellar performance, Beckenhauer said there was room for improvement.

"I didn't have my best stuff, but with a team like that I could get away with a few mistakes," Beckenhauer said. "I'll have to be on my game next week to help us win."

With MNB up 1-0 in the 1st inning Jeff Holthus was the first to put the ball over the left field fence with a solo homer.

Allan Shiers followed suit two batters later, this time a two RBI shot over the center field fence that also scored Jared Muehlenkamp to give MNB a 4-0 lead.

After a RBI from Ryan Ball, MNB ended the bottom of the first with a 5-0 lead.

The MNB bats didn't have much rest as Beckenhauer three up-three downed Red Cloud.

Leading off in the bottom of the 2nd, Mason Pohl flashed some lightning of his own with another solo bomb over left field.

Muehlenkamp was not to be outdone three batters later as he forced Red Cloud's left fielder to sprint the fence just to signal

MNB's fourth blast. Muehlenkamp's dinger brought in Jayce Dueland and Holthus to put MNB up 9-0.

MNB juiced four more runs out of the inning to end the 2nd ahead 13-0.

MNB's offense slowed down in the 3rd and the 4th before the game was called due to the run rule and MNB advanced with a 13-0 win.

The outburst of power didn't surprise MNB head coach Justin Wacker.

"We've been hitting the ball well lately," Wacker said. "We put a good swing on the ball and it carried out tonight."

MNB advances to play Cozad Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in Holdrege.

Due to his team's defensive prowess, Wacker is feeling confident about his team's chances.

"When we had the chance to make plays, we made the plays," Wacker said. "I thought we played pretty good defense and we have the chance to win every game. I like where we're at right now."

MNB -- Beckenhauer. RC -- Hesting, Sholtz, Knehaus. W -- Beckenhauer. L - Hesting. 1B -- Dueland, Rogers, MNB. Shipley, RC. 2B -- Pohl, Shiers, MNB. HR -- Holthus, Shiers, Pohl, Muehlenkamp, MNB.