The North Central Missouri College Pirates had their most successful weekend of the season this past Saturday and Sunday, traveling to Joplin and winning three out of four games played against Hesston (KS) College and #3 ranked Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa.
ln Sunday afternoon’s opener from Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin, the Pirates doubled up NOC-Tonkawa, 6-3. In the second game, North Central struggled, falling by a score of 13-3.
On Saturday, North Central began its weekend with a pair of wins, coming in much different fashion against the Larks of Hesston College, winning 1-0 and 12-4.
Going into Tuesday afternoon’s doubleheader at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Nebraska, the Pirates season record sits at 9-10.
A highlight from Saturday’s 1-0 win over the Larks was a combined no-hitter from winning pitcher Keven Franco (2-1) and relief ace Jay Greco. Franco twirled the first 5 innings, striking out 6. Greco relieved and earned his first save of the year. The lone run was scored for the Pirates came when Jurden d’Arnault drove in Tanner Sears with a one out 4th inning single.
The second win for the Pirates against Hesston was marked by offense up and down the lineup and a stellar relief appearance from sophomore Koby Linder (2-1). Linder got out of a jam for starter Dylan Niemeyer in the second inning and finished the game. He recorded 8 strikeouts over 6 innings pitched. Extra base hits for NCMC included a 3-run HR for Tanner Sears, a double and a triple by d’Arnault plus a Braxton Pennington double.
On Sunday, the Pirates coupled excellent pitching from Mason Tharp and Greco with a big 5-run third inning to secure victory. Leading the offense was Braedyn Brewer‘s 2-2 effort with 2 runs scored. Greco got the win in relief, his 4th of the season, pitching 3.1 innings and recording 4 strikeouts while giving up no hits.
Taking the loss on the mound for the Pirates against Tonkawa to close out the weekend was reliever Dustin Gipson. He allowed 4 earned runs over 1.1 innings pitched. The NCMC offense could only muster 3 runs on 5 hits in defeat.
