Scots go 2-2 against Prairie Fire

But clinch playoff berth

by Mallory Mulvihill
Sports Editor

After a stellar 24-9 record in the 2005 season, the Monmouth College baseball team has suffered a drop off in 2006. The Fighting Scots lost most of their starting infield to graduation at the start of the season. Coach Roger Sander had to replace first and second base, the shortstop position, and suffered the loss of one of his starting pitchers, who decided to transfer, last minute, at the end of first semester this year. The Fighting Scots currently stand at 17-15 overall and have a 7-3 record against Midwest Conference opponents.

With just one series remaining against Grinnell College on May 6, the Scots look to prepare for the MWC Tournament which will take place over a two day period on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13. The Scots secured a playoff berth into the MWC Tournament after defeating Knox in the first game on May 2. The Scots are hoping to clinch the hosting position once again this year, and the only way this could be prevented is if the Pioneers, who are 4-4, sweep the Scots and then do no worse than split a doubleheader against Illinois College.

In the doubleheader against Knox at home on May 2, senior pitcher Dan Dunn brought his strong pitching arm to the first game and helped the Scots to a 10-2 victory. Dunn pitched all seven innings and recorded only 6 hits with 4 strikeouts while facing 26 batters. He now has a record of 6-3. Senior Matt Gordon had quite a first game as he went 4-4 with 4 RBIs. Junior Jeremy Kafka also had quite a first game finishing with 3 hits and scoring twice. “We hit the ball really well,” said Sander. “We actually did everything well. Dunn threw well and we fielded the ball all day.” Knox second baseman, John Campbell, was the only player to have any success off Dunn, going 2-2.

After getting 16 hits off Knox starting pitcher Tim Pauley, the Scots could have used that hitting power in the second game, as they struggled to help out starting pitcher Matt Engelhardt. The Scots put up the first run of the game in the third inning on an Andrew Ogata single that scored Jake Bice. The Prairie Fire evened the score in the 6th inning on a Jake Ayers double that scored Steve Hoosen. The score remained 1-1 all the way until the top of the ninth when Kevin Malone singled to score two runners to put Knox up 3-1. With a chance to redeem themselves in the bottom of the 9th, the Scots couldn’t buy a hit and suffered the 3-1 loss.

On April 22, the Scots traveled to Galesburg to compete in a doubleheader against Knox. The Scots fell in the first game 5-4 despite a solid pitching performance by ace starter Dunn. Dunn pitched a solid six innings, allowing all five runs, but struck out 10 Prairie Fire batters and only walked three.

In the first game, the Scots simply could not get their bats started against Knox starter Nathan Harres. Harres struck out three batters, walked two and gave up four runs over five and two thirds innings pitched. Prairie Fire reliever, Steven Hoosen, came in to pitch the final inning and a third to pick up the win.

MC scored all four of their runs in the top of the sixth inning before being shutout when Hoosen entered. After tying the game in the sixth, the Scots lost the game to the Prairie Fire in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Knox scored two on an error to clinch the victory.

The second game was an entirely different story. The Scots got off to a fast start in their 11-3 victory in the second game of the doubleheader. The Scots scored a run in six straight innings and scored two runs in the ninth inning.

The 11 run cushion was more than enough for MC starter senior Engelhardt. Engelhardt only gave up one run on six hits over six innings pitched. Sophomore reliever, Nathan McCaherety, came into the game for the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, allowing two runs on two hits. Engelhardt now has a record of 2-2 on the year.

On Saturday, April 15, the Fighting Scots traveled to Jacksonville to take on Illinois College in a doubleheader. The first game lasted eight innings and fans saw the Scots pull out a one run victory.The Scots scored a run in the top of the eighth inning to take the lead. The inning started off with sophomore Ryan Stubler flying out to the first baseman. The next batter, senior Josh Ragar, singled and advanced to second on a balk. Josh Hall came up to bat, with Ragar on second, and was unable to advance him when he struck out swinging.

With two outs and the game still tied, Kafka took his turn at the plate. Kafka singled and Ragar came around from second base to score the game-winning run.

The Scots will play this Saturday, May 6 at Grinnell, and if all plays out right will host the MWC Tournament next weekend, May 12 and 13, at home.