Pirates Baseball split a home doubleheader with Southwestern CC on Tuesday. NCMC fell 5-4 in extra innings to open the day before earning a 14-3 victory in 5 innings to conclude the matchup. With an overall record of 13-15 and 4-0 in Region 16 play, the Pirates now look forward to their home series against Moberly Area CC, ranked 21st in the latest NJCAA DII National Poll.
Game 1: Southwestern CC 5, NCMC 4
North Central Missouri College battled throughout but came up just short in a 5-4 loss to Southwestern Community College in extra innings.
The Pirates' offense showed flashes of power and timely hitting, finishing with eight hits in the game. Sophomore Javier Suarez provided a spark at the top of the lineup, going 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI. Koby Wagers delivered the biggest offensive impact, finishing 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, and a stolen base.
Jose Bedoya turned in one of the most complete performances at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a triple and an RBI to pace the Pirates in hits. Eduardo Chourio also crossed the plate once, while Luis Rivas chipped in with a hit behind the dish.
On the bases, NCMC stayed aggressive, with stolen bases from Wagers, Ethan Shupe, and Leonel Dominguez.
On the mound, Jonah Sparks gave the Pirates a solid start, working 5.1 innings while striking out four. Jaxon Turner provided relief out of the bullpen, and Gabriel DeFily closed out the game but took the loss. NCMC pitching allowed 18 total hits in the game.
Game 2: NCMC 14, Southwestern CC 3
The Pirates righted the ship and delivered an explosive offensive performance on their way to a 14-3 victory over Southwestern to close out the day.
The Pirates' lineup was productive from top to bottom, piling up 11 hits and drawing eight walks while consistently applying pressure on the basepaths. Sophomore standout Eduardo Chourio led the charge, going 3-for-4 with a double and a game-high four RBIs. Jeann Pierre (JP) Gonzalez provided a big swing in the middle of the order, launching a three-run home run and finishing with three RBIs.
Ismael Medina set the tone from the 2-hole in the lineup, reaching base four times with two hits and two walks while scoring a team-high three runs. Javier Suarez also made a major impact, scoring twice, driving in a run, and swiping two bases as part of a seven-steal effort for the Pirates.
Power production came from multiple spots, as Alejandro Somaza added a two-run home run and drove in two, while Leonel Dominguez chipped in with a double, an RBI, and a sacrifice fly. Jose Bedoya also contributed an RBI knock, and Ethan Shupe reached base three times and scored twice.
On the mound, Amaury Cienfuegos got the start, working 2.1 innings and allowing just one earned run while striking out one. Logan Arbuckle was strong in relief, earning the win after tossing 2.2 innings and allowing one run while limiting Southwestern's offense down the stretch.
Defensively, the Pirates turned a highlight reel double play behind the infield trio of Medina, Chourio, and Shupe to help maintain control of the game.