By Justin Ites, The Times-Citizen
Marshalltown, IA – Ellsworth Community College baseball second baseman Maddox O'Connor hit for the cycle during the final game of the team's three-game sweep over Marshalltown Community College, a series that saw the Panthers run their current win streak to seven games.
O'Connor had a series to remember, completing the three-game set 10-12 at the plate with a home run, triple, two doubles and seven RBI. ECC won two games on Friday by scores of 8-2 and 8-7 before blowing the door open in game three, securing the sweep with a 22-1 rout.
Game three featured a seven-inning complete game pitching performance from Jakob Nachreiner, as he scattered five hits while striking out six. The Panthers led the contest by a 3-1 margin entering the sixth inning, when the offense exploded for 12 runs. They added seven more in the seventh to provide the 21-run differential.
O'Connor was 5-5 in that game, with the homer, triple, double and single needed to complete the cycle. He also drove in three runs. Riley Schrader also homered and tripled as part of his 3-5 performance that included five runs driven in. Brandon Weigel tripled and double while knocking in three more runs for the Panther offense.
ECC opened the series on Friday with a good start on the bump from Jordan Dahlof. He threw the first five innings of the 8-2 victory and did not allow a run. Drew Drake and Zach Lincoln threw the final two frames of the game one win.
O'Connor led the way at the plate with a 3-3 performance and three RBI. Eric McGill was also 2-3 and Sam Patton homered for the Panthers.
Game two was an offensive showcase that saw both teams belt out 14 hits apiece.
The game was tied 6-6 entering the seventh frame of the nine-inning contest. ECC was able to push across two runs to take an 8-6 advantage and then held on in the ninth. MCC plated one to cut the margin to 8-7, but Casey Clair was able to complete the save.
Caden Sammler was 3-5 with an RBI, while McGill added three hits that included a double. He also drove in a pair.
Both O'Connor and Dillon Carlson were 2-4 with an RBI apiece.
The sweep improved the Panthers to 27-18 overall and 14-10 in Region XI games. The Tigers dropped to 8-31 overall and 1-22 in league play.
For more Times-Citizen coverage of Ellsworth athletics: https://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc
