Published: April 17, 2008 10:12 am      

NTCC sweeps LMC Bearcats

By Don Wallace

sports@jacksonvilleprogress.com

Lon Morris College played a more competitive doubleheader this time, but still lost.

The Northeast Texas Community College Eagles flew into town Wednesday and left with two wins clinched in their talons.

The visitors won the first game by a 4-0 score, defeating Lon Morris ace Michael Russo.

Russo pitched a complete game, allowing six hits, striking out six and giving up four runs.

“Russo pitched well, like he usually does. Northeast got a few runs, but we did not play good defense behind him,” explained LMC head baseball coach Josh Stewart.

LMC got just two hits, singles by Angel Osorio and Dustin Wyble.

The second game was more competitive with Lon Morris losing by a 7-5 score in nine innings.

Nick Keenon started the game and took the loss. He was relieved by Hector Plaza and Drew Cavender. Lon Morris allowed a total of seven hits.

The Bearcats got seven hits. Wyble had a triple and Adam Leggett slapped two singles.

“We had plenty of chances to score. We had guys on base, but most of the time we were not able to knock them in. At some point we have to come up with some two-out hits,” Stewart said.

“We didn’t get the clutch hits and it hurt us. We’re playing better, but we did not win,” the coach added.

An unusual play in the first game drew the ire of Stewart. Northeast laid down a squeeze bunt with two runners on base. The ball was bunted back to the pitcher and both players came into score in rapidfire order turning a 1-0 game into a 3-0 contest.

Stewart argued the second runner never touched third base. The officials let the play stand and the two runs counted for the NTCC Eagles.