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Clutch MNB Seniors overcome lots of crooked to beat Ogallala
McCOOK, Neb. — McCook National Bank couldn’t have picked a better time to put that first “O” in Ogallala Thursday night.
The visiting rivals made money during every frame through of this Legion baseball contest, some coming from too many free passes or charity from those host MNB Seniors.
Yet McCook’s eight walks were often offset with eight Ogallala fielding errors as the lead went back-forth, back-forth like a late-night summer game of ping pong.
Trailing 10-8 late, MNB finally continued a trend that’s covered all four June victories this week: score 10 runs or more.
Seniors like Gabe Roberts with four RBIs and Brody Graham’s four runs scored kept their team within striking range literally all evening at the Jaycees Complex.
Graham seemingly reached base every time by slapping a baseball into play which Ogallala treated like half-cooked lobsters still putting up one more fight for their slipping-away lives.
However, Miles Pollmann’s walk led off a dramatic final MNB at-bat.
Trenton Raile soon singled into center and when Kooper Rakes earned another free pass...
McCook’s bases were loaded with nobody out.
Ogallala made a final of eight pitching changes between these teams.
Eight walks, eight errors and eight pitching changes.
Yup, thankfully this one didn’t decide to go eight innings.
Though it was tied again 10-10 when Ogallala played lobster sauce again and plated another two MNB runs.
Tripp Raile’s grounder was thrown away as both Trent and Pollmann scampered home.
Graham then inspired one more oopsy with a grounder through the third baseman.
Rakes rumbled homeward for a final go-ahed run making it 11-10.
Can we just see one final good clean hit?
Bryson Gullion delivered just that when he ripped a line drive just beyond a diving Ogallala left fielder.
Both Tripp Raile and Graham touched the magical dish on Gullion’s undisputed first MNB triple of this 2024 campaign.
Oops, actually this became a double with an extra base on an error.
Yet now maybe the tougher task: could MNB play one half-inning without Ogallala answering?
Graham resumed his relief duties to finish the most effective pitching for either team.
The first Ogallala struck a solid liner into left but Trent Raile was ready to make one more catch. An earlier Raile reach in deep left had turned into a huge MNB defensive double play.
The next visitor bounced a grounder to second baseman Tripp Raile, who took over that spot as Graham began his moundwork.
Tripp flipped a quick throw to first baseman Quentin Terry for the second huge out.
No more drama was needed because the next visitor sent a high pop fly into center field where MNB’s five-run, last-inning igniter — Pollmann — squeezed that final victory-clinching out.
MNB (8-5 record overall) secured its fourth win since June 1 as the Seniors have scored 15, 12, 10 and now 13 runs.
Graham threw a super 2 1/3 inning where he did not permit one hit, walked only one and struck out one.
“We’re still working out some roles,” coach Chris Conroy said. “Brody was a good starter for us last year, but he’s verbalized how he likes to work from the bullpen this season.”
Trey Tiller also worked through three tough innings where all three runs against him were officially unearned.
Oliver Corbett and Terry also pitched what turned into a combined five-hitter against this traditionally tough area opponent.
Roberts’ four RBIs were clearly another McCook highlight. Twice, he drove home huge runs on infield ground-outs.
Gullion singled to go with his dramatic late double.
Trent Raile smacked a solid base hit into left field which helped MNB overcame an early 8-3 Ogallala advantage.
Tristan Campbell and Noah Mashek added crucial, timely RBIs.
“Plus I have to say our dual-roster younger guys like Kooper (Rakes) and Tripp (Raile) did a great job,” Conroy added. “We’re hitting a point where we’re grinding. Guys are struggling a bit mentally. We have to go with who has the hot bat each game.”
The Seniors return to action tonight while starting a three-day tournament in Millard.