Blackhawks earn split with NIACC
By SUSAN DENK
sdenksdenk
The first home game of the season. The first Iowa Community College Athletic Conference contest.
It was all a bit too much for the Southeastern Community College baseball team. There was just too much adrenaline, too many thoughts of getting off to a good start in the league. Once the Blackhawks settled down, though, things improved and the squad salvaged a split against North Iowa Area Community College.
After the Trojans won 8-0, SCC held on for a 1-0 triumph in the second game at Wagner Athletic Complex.
The split moved the Blackhawks’ record to 11-6 overall, 1-1 in the ICCAC. NIACC is now 9-3, 1-1.
The Trojans controlled the first game from the start, using a pair of singles for a 1-0 lead after the first inning. NIACC exploded for five runs in the second inning, more than enough as Chuck Lukanen held the Blackhawks to just two hits. The left-hander worked 5 2/3 innings of no-hit ball before Melvin Morales broke through with a single.
SCC coach Justin Schulte tried to reinforce his philosophy to his players between games.
“I really felt we came out the first game and were too keyed up about it being conference,” said Schulte. “I told them, ‘Guys, I don’t care if we win the conference. I want you to approach the ball park every day the same and winning will take care of itself.’
“Hopefully they understood. I thought they were not as keyed up the second game.”
The second game was a pitchers’ duel — Jose Mangual against NIACC’s Russ Jiskra.
Dean Molitor led off the game with a single. It turned out to be the Trojans’ only hit until the fourth inning when Erik Smith smashed his third double of the day. Mangual got himself out of the jam on the next batter. Andy Beck singled back to the mound and Mangual threw home, getting Smith out at the plate.
The normally offensive Blackhawks were again held to just two hits, but this time made one of them count.
Ben Stanbury overcame a foul ball off his foot to single to short. He advanced to third and then scored on a Cristobal Rodriguez bunt.
NIACC threatened to score in the top of the seventh when a single and a walk put runners on first and second.
Closer Luis Castrodad came in for Mangual. He struck out Jason Hunt looking, then got pinch hitter Zack Welter swinging to end the game and pick up his fifth save.
“I like the pressure. I prepare for this, and I like it,” said Castrodad.
The Blackhawks and Trojans play another doubleheader today in West Burlington.
Schulte is hoping for a better offensive showing.
“We’re a good hitting team,” Schulte said. “NIACC did a great job pitching to us. Hopefully we’ll get some things done in the cage in the morning, regroup and hit a little better (today).”
FIRST GAME
NIACC 140 120 0 – 8 8 0
SCC 000 000 0 – 0 2 3
WP–Chuck Lukanen. LP–Esteban Cancel (4-1). Leading hitters–NIACC: John Lee 2-3, Erik Smith 3-4. 2B–Smith 2, Jason Hunt (N). RBI–Smith 4, Shayden Bertagnolli, Andy Beck 2.
SECOND GAME
NIACC 000 000 0 – 0 4 0
SCC 001 000 x – 1 2 1
WP–Jose Mangual (2-0). LP–Russ Jiskra. Leading hitters–NIACC: Beck 2-2. 2B–Smith. RBI–Cristobal Rodriguez.
Records: NIACC 9-3 (1-1), Southeastern 11-6 (1-1).
Tags: bunt, hander, job, rbi