MNB rallies to win finale of wild three-game evening

McCook’s Espn Hall launches a rocket into the evening air against Lexington during Tuesday’s 9-1 Seniors Legion baseball victory. The Seniors also won at Holdrege Wednesday evening to build momentum for this weekend’s five-team home tournament starting on Saturday.

Maryann Kassner/McCook Gazette

HOLDREGE, Neb. — McCook’s Legion Post 203 baseball teams finished three dramatic games Wednesday at the Class B Seniors state tournament site in Holdrege.

Good news! McCook National Bank erased a 5-0 Holdrege lead to win the finale, 7-5.

“We gotta quit doing that,” coach Chris Conroy falling into a 5-0 hole due to one big Holdrege inning. “But I thought we played our best game in all facets, and without four starters (missing due to wrestling camp this week).”

Tripp Raile stepped into the Seniors lineup and ripped three hits.

His single started a five-run, game-tying fourth inning for MNB (14-12 record).

Brody Graham walked in his first at-bat since pitching a complete-game win over Lexington Tuesday night.

Simon Garcia also walked which loaded the bases, and Trey Tiller promptly singled home two MNB teammates.

Quentin Terry’s first of two doubles scored Garcia while making it 5-3.

Fearless baserunning along with Holdrege flubs created the 5-5 tie.

First, Trey Junker scored on a passed ball as was running for Tiller.

Terry took third base during that same errant pitch before a second baseman’s error sent him across the magical dish with MNB’s fifth run.

The Seniors needed only their next inning to take its first lead which would not be relinquished.

Bryson Gullion was plunked by an inside pitch, Graham walked again and a booted Garcia grounder scored Gullion.

It remained 6-5 until the final frame, when Raile singled again and scored on Graham’s clean base hit.

Strong MNB pitching made that lead hold despite a game filled with 11 charged defensive errors between these two teams (MNB 6, Holdrege 5).

Tiller allowed only four hits and did not walk one batter while pitching all seven innings. He went six-plus during his previous start against Imperial: an 8-4 MNB victory last week.

MNB outhit Holdrege, 9-4, as Tripp Raile finished three-for-four with two runs scored.

The night was already wild considering MNB went “back in time” to finish game one.

Remember, this contest actually began on May 26 — exactly one month before — and Holdrege led 3-1 until lightning forced a suspension until Wednesday evening.

MNB was ready to resume because Gullion and Garcia singled before Terry doubled yet again for a 3-3 tie.

“Q” soon scored n a passed ball, then his bases-loaded walk two innings later scored Raile for the 5-3 lead.

Yet Holdrege Inspire Rehabilitation played to its sponsor’s name, getting inspired and rehabbing for a 6-5 comeback victory.

Gabe Roberts pitched the first four innings one month earlier, allowing three runs on four hits.

Garcia worked those three innings Wednesday. He threw two scoreless frames until that final Holdrege rally.

“That was a tough spot to be put into, but Simon did what we needed,” Conroy said. “It was a strange game because of the suspension. One we just kind of washed our hands and went on to the regular-scheduled game.”

The First Central Bank Juniors will also be ready to wipe off a 6-5 Holdrege “walk-off” win in its last at-bat.

Coach Konnor Rakes’ boys will continue what is still a winning season when they visit Cambridge Saturday to play two games.

First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Watch for scores and other details.