MNB Seniors struggle against hot-hitting Hastings

HASTINGS -- Displaying 405 feet in the power alleys and 408 to straight away center field, Duncan Field at Hastings gives outfielders a wide area to cover.

McCook National Bank Seniors struggled to cover the field as they dropped both games with Hastings last night. The Seniors lost the first game 14-1 and the second game 9-1.

Hastings was making solid connections and finding the gaps at their home field by putting up 21 total hits in both games combined.

"Hastings hit the ball pretty well tonight. In the first game, the wind was blowing out and they were hitting the gaps. In this park, a hard shot in the gap can be an easy triple," McCook seniors head coach Justin Wacker said.

Allan Shiers started the opener and went 2 1/3 innings and gave up 14 runs.

"Al had his first start in about three years. He lost his control from time to time, but I thought his mechanics were pretty good," Wacker said.

McCook held Hastings to four runs after two innings of play and put up one of their own to make the score 4-1 going into the bottom of the third. Hastings then put the Seniors away by lighting up the scoreboard with 10 runs on seven hits and only one MNB error to finish the inning.

Brad Potthoff came in to relieve Shiers and shut out Hastings for the rest of the game. McCook also had one hot bat of their own coming from Evan Koetter, who reached second base twice.

"Evan was swinging it really well tonight, by hitting a couple deep shots into the outfield," Wacker said.

The first game was over after five innings due to the eight-run rule. The second game was also called after five innings, but the team felt like they played the best they had all season.

"The intensity level was higher for the second game. The first game was hard to get up for after coming off a two hour trip, but we will have to get use to that," Wacker said.

Alex Sughroue was on the mound for the Seniors in the nightcap. He threw a consistent complete game by only walking four Hastings batters.

"Alex kept the defense in the game and was throwing lots of groundballs. Jared Muehlenkamp made a couple of great plays at shortstop, and is stepping up to be a leader," Wacker said.

MNB pounded out five hits with Muehlenkamp coming home on Allan Shiers‚ single in the fourth inning to score the lone run of the game.

The MNB Seniors (0-4) will be in action Saturday night at the Jaycee Sports Complex. Beatrice will come to town for a Juniors and Seniors doubleheader at 5:30 and 8 p.m.

GAME 1

Winning Pitcher: Mike Randone.

Losing Pitcher:Alan Shiers.

1B-McCook:Brett Burton, Jared Muehlenkamp, Allan Shiers, Philip Hayes, Brad Potthoff (2).

Hastings: Casey Weber, Aaron Williams, Ross Stewart (2), Adam Drudik, Josh Strivall, Mike Randone.

2B-McCook:Evan Koetter (2). Hastings:Strivall.

3B-Hastings:Williams, Drudik.

GAME 2

Winning Pitcher: Kevin Teruay.

Losing Pitcher: Alex Sughroue.

1B-McCook: Brett Burton, Mark Rogers, Allan Shiers, Brad Potthoff.

Hastings: Alex Berndt, Aaron McQuerter, Spencer Ostrader, Aaron Williams, Ross Stewart, Adam Drudik (2), Mitch Krull (2), Jordan Clancy.

2B-McCook: Jared Muehlenkamp.

Hastings: Berndt.