Trinidad stops MCC win streak, then takes series

The Trinidad State softball team swept McCook Community College in a pair of games Sunday to win three of the four games in the weekend Series. On Sunday, the Trojans won 13-5, 8-0.

“It was a tough weekend, we didn’t play our best softball but it wasn’t from lack of effort,” said MCC Coach Kevin Kaalberg. “I’m proud of the kids for their enthusiasm and energy even when things weren’t going well.”

Despite losing three games, MCC remains atop the Region IX standings with an 18-8 record. MCC will finish out the region slate Saturday and Sunday at home against Western Nebraska. Five of the seven Region IX teams are still mathematically alive to finish in first place in the standings and host the post-season tournament.

Otero took three of four weekend games against Northeastern Junior College and finish the conference schedule at 18-12. The Rattlers won the season series with MCC 3-2 and would hold any tie-breaker with MCC.

Trinidad is two games back in the standings at 16-10. The Trojans (24-23 overall) finish their schedule at home next weekend against Northeastern Junior College. Trinidad State went 3-2 vs. MCC and would hold any tiebreaker). The Plainswomen are still alive at 15-11.

Western Nebraska is 12-10 in conference with four games left with Luna Community College and then the four-game series at McCook.

Lamar is 8-18 and will finish their schedule next weekend at Las Vegas, N.M. against Luna. The last-place Rough Riders are 2-20.

MCC falls to 34-18 overall on the season

“They have a big opportunity in front of them this week so learn from the weekend and continue to grow,” said Kaalberg.

MCC will be at home for the final six games of the regular season this week.

On Wednesday MCC hosts Central Community College for a Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

On Saturday MCC hosts Western Nebraska in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. On Sunday the two teams play two final games starting at 11 a.m.

For all the up-to-date information on MCC softball this season including, schedules, statistics, rosters and photos, please visit the official website of MCC Athletics at: https://mccookcc.prestosports.com/landing/index

GAME 1 – Trinidad State 13, McCook CC 5: Trinidad State jumped on top with three first inning runs and never trailed taking leads of 3-0, 5-1, and 9-4 before putting the game away with four runs in the fifth inning.

MCC got on the scoreboard in the second on a solo home run by freshman Tyler Mooring (Santa Clara, Utah).

Trailing 5-1 in the fourth inning, Ashland Baca (sophomore, Byers, Colo.) led off with a double. Freshman Madisyn Simms (Port Moody, British Columbia) singled and Mooring homered to center field to close the gap to 5-4 but a lineout double play ended the chance for a big inning.

With two outs in the fifth MCC scored its final run when Simms singled home Cortez.

Avery O'Neil (sophomore, Ellsworth, Wis.) and Paige Smith (freshman Perth, Australia) both pitched two innings, Wilcox pitched the fifth inning.

MCC had eight hits with two each by Mooring, Cortez and Simms.

GAME 2 – Trinidad State 8, McCook CC 0: The Trojans took the lead early again in the second game scoring a pair of first inning runs off Tyler Mooring, and later added three in the third, one in the fourth and two in the sixth to end the game.

Mooring went 5.2 innings, allowed nine hits and five earned runs, while walking one and striking out three.

MCC was held to three hits in the game with two from sophomore Taylor Thein (sophomore, West Branch, Iowa).