Plainsmen Baseball Win Three in Pueblo

Feb. 18, 2019, Sterling, Colo. — The Plainsmen baseball team made a change in venue against the Dawson Buccaneers. The unpredictable weather forced Northeastern to choose a site further south to ensure they could get their games in. The Plainsmen found success in Pueblo, Colo., which allowed them to play all four of their games against the Bucs. 

The first game against Dawson was a shutout win for Jordan Chappell who began the game for the Plainsmen. Northeastern scored two runs in the second, three in the third, and the final two in the fifth to win 7-0. Chappell received the win after Jayden Smith came in to relieve him in the top of the fifth inning. Both pitchers only had one hit off them with Chappell seeing 17 batters and Smith seeing eight. 

The second was just as good for Northeastern as the men put up double-digit runs to the Bucs three. Northeastern jumped out to an eight-run lead when they score three in the first and five in the second. Dawson tried to cut a few runs off, but the Plainsmen matched them run for run in the fourth and fifth to keep the 10-2 lead. Dawson was able to get their final run of the game in the top of the seventh, but the Plainsmen got their three outs and won 10-3. Cole Halpin received the win with Cameron Phillips and Colton Horn helping close the game. 

Game three against the Buccaneers was identical to their second game with runs scored per inning. The only differences in the game were the Plainsmen having 13 hits compared to their nine hit in game two. They would go on to win again 10-3 with Cameron Spaeth earning the win, and Juan Esparza and Matthew Armendariz coming in to relieve. 

The fourth and final game of the series, Northeastern allowed Dawson to score runs and were unable to dig their way out of the hole. The Bucs scored four in the second, then Northeastern came back to tie it after scoring one in the second, one in the third, and two in the fourth. The game stayed tied until the top of six when Dawson tacked four more runs on to lead 8-4. They would follow it up in the final inning by batting two more in. Northeastern could only manage to score one more before the end of the game and lost 10-5 to the Bucs. Tanner Schoeninger started the game, but Tanner Kimminau received the loss when the Plainsmen couldn't get enough runs back. 

Northeastern will begin Region IX play as they travel to Otero to play the Rattlers on Saturday, Feb. 23.