NCMC baseball won two of three over the weekend to close out their regular season with a 32-12 record. While the team came up short on Saturday's Sophomore Day, they dominated on Sunday in front of nice crowds at Burleigh Grimes Field. The Pirates now prepare for the Region 16 Tournament which they will host beginning on Thursday, May 8th. The #1 seed Pirates will take on #4 seed Moberly Area CC at noon.
Game 1: Despite a strong offensive showing with 10 hits, North Central Missouri College came up short in a 5-3 loss to Lewis & Clark. Javier Suarez sparked the offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, while Julio Guerrero delivered three hits and an RBI. Wilmer Jimenez added an RBI on a sacrifice fly, and Eduardo Chourio chipped in with two hits of his own. On the mound, Max Wagers was impressive in relief, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings and allowing just two hits while striking out four. However, starter Luis Leon struggled with control, issuing seven walks and allowing four earned runs over 4.2 innings, which proved costly despite North Central's edge in total hits.
Game 2: The Pirates dominated on both sides of the ball in a 13-0 shutout win over Lewis & Clark Community College, highlighted by an explosive offensive display and a stellar pitching performance. Hikaru Mikami was nearly untouchable on the mound, tossing six shutout innings while allowing just two hits and striking out five to improve to 6-1 on the season. Offensively, the Pirates were led by catcher Cesar Grau, who went 3-for-4 with a walk-off grand slam and five RBIs, while Wilmer Jimenez added three RBIs of his own on a pair of hits. Eduardo Chourio and Alejandro Paz each chipped in two RBIs, with Chourio and Guerrero both scoring multiple runs. North Central racked up 14 hits and didn't commit a single error, capping off a dominant all-around performance.
Game 3: NCMC were again impressive in a 13–4 victory over Lewis & Clark, with explosive offense and solid pitching leading the way. Jordi Ventura powered the Pirates with a grand slam, while Eduardo Chourio added two hits and two RBIs of his own. Javier Suarez and Julio Guerrero each doubled and stole a base, combining for three runs and two RBIs. Wilmer Jimenez not only scored three runs and tripled but also closed the game with a scoreless inning on the mound. Starter Eric Torrero earned the win, tossing four hitless innings with two strikeouts. In total, NCMC racked up 12 hits and turned multiple double plays in a complete team performance.
NCMC honored 20 sophomore players on Saturday. These players are the winningest in program history. Last year, their 26 wins tied the school record and the 32 wins this season has eclipsed that mark. The NCMC athletics community thanks you for your efforts on and off the field.
