LCC Men and Women, Sweeping the Competition

LCC completed a four game sweep of the Colorado State University Club team on the weekend by the scores of 5-4, 12-8, 18-8, 7-0. Game one saw ace Arturo Maltos-Garcia take the mound and get a five inning no-decision. Arturo struck out eight and allowed one earned run. Due to a high pitch count, Brandon Ward-Hersee (2-1) came in to pitch the sixth and seventh innings for Maltos-Garcia. Usually dominant closer Ward-Hersee faltered in the sixth allowing three earned runs on three hits to allow CSU to tie the game 4-4. This led to more bottom of the seventh heroics for the Lopes as Ben Lahn singled home Jackson Gooch with one out in the bottom for a walk off win for the Lopes 5-4, also giving Ward-Hersee the win. Lopes pounded out 11 hits with Bobby Lewis 2 for 3, Venny Fresquez and Ben Lahn 2 for 4.

Shane Zaruba (4-3) took the mound in game two and picked up the win in five innings, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out five. Joe Wahl came in relief with a 12-4 lead and allowed four in the seventh to make it a 12-8 game. Joe pitched one and one third inning, allowing four earned runs, one hit, and three walks. Closer Brandon Ward-Hersee was brought in again to save the game. Brandon picked up his fourth save in one third of an inning’s work. Offensively the Lopes pounded out thirteen hits with Jake Klauck 2 for 2, Tim Zufall 3 for 4, Jackson Gooch 2 for 4, and Garrett Yost 2 for 4, 4 RBI’s (HR). Sophomore catcher, Mark Ortivez hit a grand slam in second inning that saw the Lopes score seven runs.

Sunday started out with an offensive explosion with both teams combining for 26 runs and 32 hits. Freshman Garrett Pape (3-2) picked up the win in four innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits and two strikeouts. Freshman Dillon Moritz came in to pitch a scoreless fifth inning. The Lopes offense put up 24 hits with seven doubles and three home runs on the day. Both Bobby Lewis and Jake Klauck were a perfect 4 for 4 with home runs in game one. Garrett Yost, Jackson Gooch, and Mark Ortivez ended the day 3 for 4.

Game four was the best pitched game of the series with sophomore Tim Zufall (6-1) pitching a seven inning, four hit shutout and striking out seven. The Lopes pounded out eight hits with Dillon Moritz going 2 for 3 and both Bobby Lewis and Jackson Gooch 1 for 2. Ben Lahn went 1 for 3 and connected for a two run home run in the fourth inning.

The Lopes are currently 22-9 overall and 6-0 in conference. Next up for the Lopes, a non-conference game this Thursday, March 24. This weekend, the Lopes travel to Sterling to take on Northeastern Junior College in a four game conference series.

Scott Crampton

Head Baseball Coach-Lamar Community

The Runnin’ Lopes Softball team recently returned from Tucson, Arizona with an outstanding record of 5-0 for the tournament. The Lopes were enthused to compete against a variety of different teams from Junior Colleges and Division III schools. The Lopes broke out their bats defeating every opponent by the 8 run rule in 5 innings. Game one, the Lady Lopes faced Minot College. The LCC defense came out strong with a quick 1, 2, 3 out inning. At the plate the Lopes swung the bat with great discipline allowing LCC to score four runs early to take the lead. Pitcher Krystal Krietemeyer displayed a spectacular performance with a perfect game up until the 5th inning when Minot got their first and only hit of the game. The Lady Lopes continued to pound the bats producing 11 hits in 5 innings, holding Minot scoreless for a shutout, 11-0 victory. Krietemeyer allowed only 1 hit and dominated in the circle with eight strikeouts. Brittani Richins went 3-3 at the plate with 2 RBI’s along with Sarah Payne and Harmony Englert who were 2-3 and Michelle Brunelli who was 1-1.

In game two LCC faced Anoka Ramsey Community College. The Lady Lopes kept their bats alive and the offense continued with a solid hitting performance. LCC scored three runs in the first while holding Ramsey scoreless until the third inning when they took advantage of an LCC error followed by a hit. But that would be the only opportunity for Anoka Ramsey to score. The Lopes answered back at the plate, scoring a total of nine runs in five innings and defeating Ramsey 9-1 in 5 innings. Pitcher Kelsey Plowman picked up the win allowing only 6 hits and one earned run. The offensive leaders included Michelle Brunelli going 4-4, Kelsey Plowman and Brittani Richins 3-4, Sara Payne 2-3 and Tayler Beasley 1-1.

Friday, March 18, games three and four consisted of a double header against Madison College. LCC defeated Madison 19-6. In the first, pitcher Krystal Krietemeyer and the defense dominated with a swift 1, 2, 3 inning including two strikeouts. The Lopes never lost their momentum which led to the biggest offensive rally of the season. In the first inning LCC managed seventeen runs including an in the park grand slam by Sara Schmid. With a comfortable 17-0 lead in the third, Madison College managed to score six runs with a combination of timely hits and an LCC error but it was not enough to overcome LCC’s overpowering lead, resulting in a 19-6 victory. Krystal Krietemeyer started in the circle picking up the win. She gave up 1 hit and had 5 strikeouts in two innings. LeAnne Blaeser relieved Krietemeyer in the third finishing the game giving up 8 hits and 5 earned runs. LCC pounded 18 hits and Monique Brown lead the offense going 4-4 with 4 RBI’s followed by Samantha Bump going 3-3, and Krystal Krietemeyer 2-2.

The Lady Lopes energy continued as they faced Madison College once again. The Lopes remained focused and with pitcher LeAnne Blaeser and a solid LCC defense, they held Madison College scoreless for the first two innings. Offensively, the Lady Lopes put up seven runs in the first. In the third, pitcher Tayler Beasley relieved Blaeser in the circle. But with untimely hits and miscommunication among the Lope defense, Madison College found their way back in the game scoring seven runs and tying the game at seven. However, the Lopes remained mentally tough and responded with the bats, pounding 15 hits and regaining the lead. In the fourth Kelsey Plowman entered the circle and held Madison scoreless for the last two innings getting the win with a 17-7 victory. Plowman lead the offense going 3-3, followed by Sara Payne, Hillary Dwyer and Sara Schmid who were 2-2, and Samantha Bump 2-3 with 2 RBI’s.

Game five, the Lady Lopes faced Mayville College with a shutout. The Lopes came out determined and confident. In the first, Monique Brown had a spectacular diving catch in left field which shifted momentum in favor of the Lopes early. Once again, LCC came out hammering at the plate scoring nine runs in the first. The Lady Lopes were unstoppable and managed to score in every inning totaling twenty-one runs on twenty-seven hits. Pitchers Krystal Krietemeyer and Kelsey Plowman along with the LCC defense displayed a solid performance holding Mayville scoreless for five straight innings and a 21-0 victory. Krietemeyer pitched three innings picking up the win and was relieved by Plowman who finished the game allowing only 1 hit. The LCC offense was lead by Hillary Hunter going 5-5 with 5 RBI’s, Brittani Richins 4-5, Tayler Beasley 2-2, and Harmony Englert 3-4.