Pratt Community College baseball got back to action with a four game, home and home series against Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa. The Beavers clashed with the Mavericks over the course of the series, but could not string together the runs to get wins. PCC gets swept 0-4.
The Blue and White got on the board first in the series in game 1. In the second inning with bases loaded Darrian Aldridge grounded out to the pitcher. Aldridge was thrown out at first, but managed to bring home Sean Johnson from third. NOC-Tonkawa tied things up in the fifth. With a runner on second, Pena singled to left to bring the runner home. In the sixth inning, NOC-Tonkawa added three runs. Down to their final three outs Pratt tried to come back, but was shut down by strong pitching by NOC-Tonkawa. PCC falls to NOC-Tonkawa 1-4 in game 1.
In game 1, Trace Maddux, Keaton Gage, and Khalir Vazquez had hits for the Beavers. Johnson was the lone run, and Aldridge had the lone RBI for Pratt. Defensively, Lucas Wept allowed three hits and one run in five innings of work. Wept highlighted his outing by striking out eight batters out of the 23 batters he faced.
PCC came out swinging in game two putting up six runs in the first two innings. NOC-Tonkawa tied the game up at 6-6 after three innings. Maddux broke the tie for the Beavers with a solo home run in the fourth inning. With bases loading in the fifth inning, Maddux hit a sacrifice fly that brought home Gage Axline from third. NOC-Tonkawa reclaimed the lead with a three run home run by Marlatt in the fifth inning. Pratt tied the game up in the sixth. With runners on first and second, Keaton Gage hit a double to bring Johnson around from second. NOC-Tonkawa used a six run sixth inning caped off by two home runs to put the game away. PCC loses game 2 9-15.
Gage, Axline, and Johnson commanded the offense for the Blue and White in game 2. Axline was two for four with two runs. Gage finished two for four with two RBIs. Johnson went a perfect two for two with two runs, two RBIs and a walk.
The series then traveled to Stanion Field in Pratt, Kan. PCC struck first with three runs. A Kenneth Gonzalez double to left brought home Elerie Rivera from first. With bases loaded Ashton Roy doubled for two runs. NOC-Tonkawa tied the game in the fourth with three runs of their own. The Mavs then added two runs for a two run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. PCC trailed 3-5 down to their final three outs. With bases loaded and down to the final out, Khalir Vasquez came through with a single to right that brought two runs in to tie the game at 5-5. NOC-Tonkawa reclaimed the lead in the ninth with three runs and held on for the win. PCC drops a tough loss to NOC-Tonkawa 5-8.
In game 3, Johnson went two for four with a run. Axline finished going two for three. Roy was also two for three in the game with two RBIs. Vazquez completed the game going three for five from the plate with two RBIs.
Game 4 saw NOC-Tonkawa pick up right where they left off. The Mavs scored in the first inning to take a quick lead. The Beavers answered right away with a leadoff home run by Maddux. Johnson batted in Rivera from third with a hit to left field. Scoring went back and forth between the two teams over the next few innings. After three innings of play PCC held a 7-6 lead. NOC-Tonkawa came up big with four runs in the fourth inning. Despite a three run fifth inning by Pratt, NOC-Tonkawa held on for the win. PCC falls 9-11 in game 4.
Johnson, Aldridge, and Maddux led from the plate for the Blue and White in game 4. Johnson went two for three with an RBI. Aldridge also finished two for three at the plate with two runs and two RBIs. Maddux ended going one for four from the plate with three runs and two RBIs.
PCC baseball begins conference play on March 1 when Seward Community College comes to Stanion Field for the first part of a four game, home and home series. First pitch of the double header is set for 1 p.m.