By Justin Ites
Big time offensive numbers including 61 runs, 61 hits and 16 home runs made for a wild two-game series for Ellsworth Community College.
The Panthers were able to record the two game sweep by scores of 19-17 and 14-11 over North Iowa Community College, but the wins were anything but easy.
During game one the visiting Cougars jumped out to a 12-3 lead after four innings, as ECC starting pitcher Sam Wirag was tagged for six earned runs a three home runs. Wirag also experienced control issues and walked six batters.
NICC built that lead on the back of a nine-run fourth inning, but the Panthers responded with a nine-run inning of their own in the bottom of the fifth and a five-run frame in the sixth.
The Panthers led 17-13 until the Cougars (4-36, 1-19) plated four in the seventh to tie the score. A pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth allowed the hosts to walk-off the visitors for the victory.
Offensively, ECC's home runs came off the bats of Jacob Koerselman, Jordan Rowe and Gavin Doll. Koerselman drove in six runs on two hits, while Doll and Rowe both knocked in four runs apiece.
Both pitching staffs combined to walk nine batters apiece in game one.
During game two, it was ECC who jumped out to an early lead. The Panthers plated six in the second and held a 7-3 advantage after four frames. After NICC scored three in the fifth to trim the margin to 7-6, the hosts added three in the bottom of the frame. Both teams added three-run sixth innings, but the Cougars could not muster more than a two-run seventh as the Panthers held on for the 14-11 victory.
Reece Cochran earned the start in game two and tossed four innings of six hit baseball. he allowed four earned runs while striking out five. James Tounsley, Brady Crow and TJ Eikenberry pitched in the second contest.
The Panthers (19-26, 10-10) bashed four more long balls in the win, and those were recorded by Graham Sullivan, Lucas Bruhl, Eric McGill and Maddox O'Connor.
McGill now has a team-leading 14 homers this spring and broke the program's career record last week. He has 24 career dingers during his two seasons in a Panther uniform. The old record of 22 homers was held by Boston Doeschot (2024-25) - an All-American last season for ECC.
For more photos of the game, visit https://www.timescitizen.com/gallery/