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Down 6-0, MNB Seniors deliver opening playoff drama
HOLDREGE, Neb. —Doniphan-Trumbull players mentioned “15-running” as they built a quick six-run lead over McCook National Bank Thursday afternoon.
They were oh so right – but wrong about who put 15 runs on the board when this B-6 tournament game was done.
“We’ve got some pretty tenacious kids,” MNB pitcher Kaleb Taylor said following the 15-10 comeback win.
“Hats off to Doniphan-Trumbull,” coach Jeff Holthus added. “We came out a little flat, they came out hitting and got up 6-0. But our guys answered.”
Indeed they did. No. 2-seed MNB caught the No. 7 seed quickly, 6-6, before two innings were completed.
However, the Guns-n-Roses classic song “Patience” best describes what sparked MNB’s rally.
They drew walks or stood quietly while other errant pitches bounced off body parts.
Doniphan-Trumbull assisted by either dropping or misjudging more than a couple of MNB pop flies.
When a big hit really was needed, Seniors like James Mockry smartly sent two-run singles directly into center field beyond any defender’s reach.
“We didn’t just swing at anything and everything. Our guys showed great discipline at the plate,” Holthus confirmed. “At this time of the year, we’ll take a win whether it’s by one run or 10.”
Following DJ Gross’ game-tying sacrifice fly, Taylor hit another ball sharply that turned into an inning-ending double play.
Yet he returned to the mound and made sure Doniphan-Trumbull would not be scoring many more runs.
Taylor set the seventh-seed team down 1-2-3 during those next two frames.
Normally a catcher, he was making his second pitching start this season with the other being a 12-2 win over Cozad clear back on June 13.
“I did a bullpen (pitching session), but my arm was a little sore and I guess those first two innings showed,” he remarked about D-T scoring four and two for that early 6-0 margin. “But I definitely felt better after or own six spot. I always know we have each other’s backs, but I really felt it there.”
Taylor embarked on an eight-strikeout performance, matching how many fanned vs. Cozad in that first start.
MNB moved ahead to stay in the third inning. Derek Greenlee was hit by a pitch, Spencer Krysl walked and Clayton Stevens singled which loaded the bases.
Catcher James Mockry then sent a fly ball for D-T’s right fielder to misplay and sent Greenlee home.
Mere moments later, Cameryn Berry looped a two-run single which dropped between three D-T defenders this time.
Krysl and Stevens both scored for a 9-6 MNB advantage.
“We started to get some timely hits,” Holthus said.
A lot of bloops led to perhaps the biggest MNB blast two innings later.
Mockry had singled and set up team RBI-leader Dugger, who drove an opposite-field double over the closest D-T defender in right.
Mockry scored from first base and cleared space for Dugger to reach home on Gross’ two-out clutch hit.
Just like that, the sluggish 6-0 MNB start had turned into a 12-6 lead.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s the first game of the season or first game of the area tournament. Sometimes, you come out a little flat,” Holthus said.
Doniphan-Trumbull nearly “climbed off the mat” against state wrestling finalist Taylor.
A pair of huge two-out RBI-hits suddenly halved McCook’s margin to 12-9.
The MNB Seniors (21-13 record) quickly answered with their own “three spot”.
Derek Greenlee and Krysl both reached on errors before Stevens put down one perfect bunt single this time.
Mockry’s sac fly made it 13-9, and Dugger singled home two more to finish his fine four-RBI playoff day.
Dugger also relieved Taylor and recorded the final four outs. He struck out two while allowing just one unearned D-T run.
The MNB Seniors stopped their four-game losing streak, though two losses on Saturday came against a powerful 35-4 Alliance squad.
Now they’ll play game two of the B-6 tournament tonight at 7 p.m. against Kearny County.
No. 6-seed K.C. surprised No. 3 Holdrege, 9-8, in Thursday’s final contest.
“It wasn’t our peak performance today,” Taylor concluded Thursday evening. “But we’ll come out ready tomorrow.”
A quick rundown of the B-6 tourney action with the champion advancing to state tournament play at Wayne next week:
McCOOK (21-13)
AB R H RBI
Berry 4 0 2 2
Dugger 4 1 2 4
Gross 3 1 1 2
Taylor 2 1 0 0
D. Greenlee 3 3 1 0
L. Greenlee 4 1 1 2
Krysl 2 3 0 0
Stevens 3 3 2 1
Mockry 3 2 2 2
WP: Taylor (2-0).
Best mound work: Kaleb Taylor pitched three scoreless innings while MNB turned a 6-0 deficit into 12-6 lead. He allowed nine earned runs overall but fanned eight in 5 2/3 innings.
Double: Dugger (3).
RBIs: Dugger (23,24,25,26), Berry (20,21), Gross (13,14), L. Greenlee (12,13), Mockry (10,11), Stevens (16).
Stolen bases: Dugger, D. Greenlee.
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Thursday’s scores
Game 1: Gothenburg earns bye. Game 2: Cozad 8, Broken Bow 3. Game 3: Kearny County 9, Holdrege 8. Game 4: McCook 15, Doniphan-Trumbull 10.
Friday
Game 5: Game 2 loser gets bye. Game 6: Holdrege vs. Doniphan-Trumbull, 2 p.m. Game 7: Gothenburg vs. Cozad, 4:30 p.m. Game 8: McCook vs. Kearny County, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 2 p.m. Game 10: Broken Bow vs. Game 8 loser, 4:30 p.m. Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 loser, 1 p.m. Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 3:30 p.m.
Monday
Championship: Game 13 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 4:30 p.m. Second title game if necessary follows at 7 p.m.