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MNB knocks out hosts, plays Hickman today
GERING, Neb. — The rain-suspended Class B state tournament turned into a hailstorm of McCook National Bank hits Sunday evening.
Cam Berry singled to start and singled to finish a seven-run third inning that propelled MNB’s Seniors past Gering, 13-5, at Oregon Trails Park.
Logan Barenberg joined Berry in blasting three hits apiece while James Mockry scored three runs to top anything MNB achieved during its 10-2 opening loss against defending Class B champ Springfield.
Meanwhile, they also made it a quick “0-2 and barbecue” for the talented 24-win Gering state hosts.
McCook (28-15 record) moves on into another elimination game today against Hickman (25-6-1) with first pitch set for 2 p.m. CDT.
Hickman must recover from a 4-3 Sunday defeat to Alliance (41-7 record), who will play Springfield tonight in a showdown of the state tourney’s two remaining unbeatens.
McCook made a great recovery considering the Saturday first-round game vs. Springfield lasted into Sunday because of a rain-delay “suspension”.
Tied 1-1 with Gering, McCook suddenly struck like lightning as Berry, Drew Harvie and Mockry all singled to load the bases leading off that huge third inning.
Mockry’s single was a well-placed bunt that Gering’s pitcher could not handle in time to throw him out.
Moments later, Seth Dugger drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in Berry and put MNB ahead to stay.
Konor Rakes quickly singled which reloaded the bases.
Barenberg sent the next pitch bouncing into left field for a two-RBI single since both Harvie and Mockry motored home.
Healthy walking for MNB resumed as Kaleb Gillen drew a four-pitch free pass as did Joel Carter.
Carter’s walk scored Dugger to give MNB a 5-1 lead.
Dawson Bredvick hit an RBI-infield grounder because Barenberg crossed home plate.,
Now it was Berry’s second turn of the inning and — sure enough — McCook’s season hits leader singled again.
The line drove sent both Carter and Gillen home for an 8-1 McCook advantage.
The Seniors didn’t take this momentum to their defense considering they made three errors during that next half-inning.
However, winning pitcher Trae Koetter showed real tenacity by retiring those next three batters on a fly ball, pop-up and line drive into third baseman Carter’s glove.
Gering only scored one run from those three errors so MNB still led 8-2.
Mockry singled to lead off the fourth and start another two-run MNB inning. Rakes ripped an RBI-hit while Barenberg’s sizzler scored Rakes for a 10-2 margin.
MNB continued adding runs which finished the impressive state tournament victory.
MNB also scored twin over Gering at McCook’s Jaycees Complex on July 15 to cap the regular season.
McCook and Hickman will start today’s Class B state tripleheader at 2 p.m. CDT. Bennington and Wakefield follow for another “knockout” contest at 5 p.m. before Alliance vs. Springfield.