Rattlers Bite Plainsmen to End Post Season
Sterling, Colo...
It was a frustrating end of the season for NJC as they found themselves losing in the 1st round of the Region IX tournament as they hosted the Otero Rattlers, who were all but in the basement of the Region. NJC played well enough towards the end of the season to get home field advantage for the 1st round, but that didn't matter as Otero came in and took care of business to advance to the 2nd round.
Northeastern was able to get some players who earned end of the year honors. Starting pitcher Sage Ferguson took 2nd Team All-Conference, shortstop Trey Adams earned 2nd Team All-Conference and outfielder Zach Boone also earned 2nd Team All-Conference. Outfielder Jaylan Ruffin played well defensively this season giving him 1st Team All-Defensive honors. Stevins Spurgeon recieved All-Conference Honorable Mention for starting pitcher and both Jeffrey Behrends and Brian Walters secured All-Conference Honorable Mention for relief pitchers. Caleb Rozier, Alex Alva and Mason Sauter also recieved All-Conference Honorable Mention. NJC will be back this Fall to begin their 22-23 baseball season.
(Game Recap 5/6) Plainsmen vs. Otero College = Loss 9-7
Breakdown: Northeastern held onto the lead until the 7th inning. The Rattlers put up 5 unanswered runs in the 7th and 8th innings, which over took Northeastern and put them behind in the series. Sage Ferguson pitched 5.2 innings in which he struck out 6, walked 2 and had 3 earned runs. Clay Sanger ended up taking the loss, his 4th on the season. Mason Sauter went 3-3 with a double and 2 RBI's. Calvin Davis and David Draayers each knocked in 1 RBI in the contest. The Plainsmen were out-hit 13-7.
(Game Recap 5/7) Plainsmen vs. Otero College = Loss 10-5
Breakdown: Otero was up 9-0 before the Plainsmen were able to squeak in a 4-run 7th inning. It was a disappointing outing for NJC as they lost and blew their chances at advancing in the Region IX tournament. Even though the Plainsmen pitchers were able to strike out Otero 17 times (12 from Brian Walters), the offense couldn't get anyting going until it was too late. Stevins Spurgeon took his 6th loss on the season, ending it with a 6-6 overall record. Zach Boone and Donovan Jackson each knocked in 2 runs in the loss. Three Otero players had at least 2 or more RBI's.
