No. 4 SMCC Baseball Defeats Western Nebraska CC

PHOENIX ---

The No. 4 South Mountain Community College baseball team (20-9) defeated Western Nebraska CC 10-0 (5 innings) in a non-conference game at the SMCC Baseball Field on Monday, Mar. 9. Freshman Nathan Bayus hit a three-run home run and sophomore Matthew McGovern added a solo blast as the Cougars defeated their counterparts from Stockbluff, Neb. 

SMCC scored once in the first, five times in the third, and four in the fourth to post the run-rule victory. In the first, sophomore Bryan Lorenz scored on a wild pitch to put SMCC ahead. 

In the third, freshman Gabe Coltman plated Lorenz and sophomore Jaden Leon with a two-run single, and sophomore Gavin Short drove in Coltman with an RBI single. With two outs in the frame, sophomore Bobby Pierce Jr. singled to score Bayus and put SMCC ahead 6-0. 

Bayus launched a three-run home run to center in the fourth that scored Coltman and Short, and McGovern lined a ball over the fence in left to put SMCC ahead 10-0. 

Coltman was 2 for 2 with two runs and two RBIs, while Short was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. McGovern added a double to his home run, and Leon and Short also had doubles in the win. 

Sophomore Grant Young (1-0) earned the win with five innings of work on the mound. He allowed one hit and three walks while striking out two.