MNB Seniors trounce visitors twice, host Kearney tonight

James Mockry was ready when the McCook National Bank Seniors made their long-awaited season debut Friday night. Mockry delivered five hits, scored five runs and four RBIs while not being retired in seven at-bats during a doubleheader sweep of Elwood-Eustis. The MNB Seniors host Kearney Thirsty's at 5 p.m. today.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — There were no restrictions on a McCook National Bank offense that scored in every inning of the Seniors' 13-0, 14-1 opening wins over Elwood-Eustis at Merv Breland Field Friday night.

The Seniors unleashed 13 hits while plating two, two, six and three runs during game one. James Mockry made a successful return from college life with four hits in four at-bats and four RBIs.

Mockry, Cam Berry (double, RBI) and Konor Rakes (two RBIs, RBI) drove home the first four MNB runs.

Tanner Jacobs smashed a two-RBI double to highlight a 10-0 lead through three innings.

Jacobs and Joey Gonzales — who also doubled — both scored twice while making their Seniors debut after helping the First Central Bank Juniors win a Class B state tourney game last summer.

Coady Armstrong handled plenty of baselining duties and scored another three runs.

Clayton Stevens was another new Senior who ruled the pitching mound. He hurled five shutout innings where he allowed just three Elwood-Eustis hits and struck out three.

Game two only lasted into the third because MNB plated six and eight runs en route to its 14-1 win.

They only need six hits as Elwood-Eustis walks kept McCook moving around the base paths.

Mockry doubled, walked twice and touched home three more times — so he was never retired in seven at-bats.

Logan Barenberg drove home a MNB-leading three RBIS with two more from Rakes.

Berry, Gonzales, Bareberg and Stevens each scored two runs.

Brandon Derauf permitted one Elwood-Eustis hit while striking out five as he earned the pitching win.

"They (Stevens, Derauf) both threw well and did their job," coach Scott Smalley said during an interview with McCook Bison voice Rich Barnett. "With all the doubleheaders we have, they’re going to be called on and execute like they did Friday night."

The MNB Seniors are set to host a tougher test today. Kearney Thirsty's visits for a 5 p.m. doubleheader.

They’ve had some struggles on the moung, but as always, they are going to be competitive andthat’s kind of what we need. We need a challenge tonight," Smalley said.

Watch for results in Tuesday's McCook Gazette.