Neosho County freshman third baseman Brylie Ware became only the second Panther to hit for the cycle in a single game during Coach Steve Murry's 30 years at the helm. Ware went 4-for-5 at the plate as the Panthers scored 25 runs on 19 hits in a 25-14 game-one win over North Central Missouri Saturday afternoon at Hudson Field.
Ware singled and tripled in the first inning as the Panthers scored 16 times in the inning. He led off the second with a home run, and Ware picked up the double in the fourth to compete the cycle. He also scored four times and drove in another four runs. Freshman outfielder Aaron Dees and sophomore Evan Bourn tallied three hits each and combined to drive in nine runs. In all, five balls left the Hudson Field in game one. Ware, Bourn, Dees, sophomore designated hitter Blake Tomasino and infielder Dylan Carrender went deep for the Panthers. Sophomore starting pitcher Tyler Mitzel picked up his second win of the season, striking out eight and walking none in four innings of work.
Game two on Friday was also a high-scoring affair but much closer. The game was tied at seven apiece heeding into the bottom of the seventh, and Ware reached on one of North Central's four errors. He later came around to score the game-winning run on a wild pitch. Leadoff batter Darian Abram and Bourn tallied four of Neosho County's six hits in the win. Freshman relieve pitcher Tanner Strickbine picked up the win, pitching the seventh inning.
On Sunday, the Panthers used a pair of run-ruled victories over North Central Missouri to improve to 10-0 on the season. Neosho County scored seven times in the bottom of the sixth to compete the 15-5 win. Freshman Will Clark jumped started the inning with a single and the inning snowballed from there. Starting pitcher Brennon Covington picked up the win, pitching five innings while striking out six. Offensively, Tomasino led the way with a 3-for-4 game with four RBIs and a home run.
In game two, Neosho County scored early and often, plating three in the first and nine in the second en route to a 14-1 win. Sophomore pitcher Trent Latta went the distance, striking out three and allowing four hits. Latta is now 2-0 on the season.
The Panthers (10-0) begin Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference play Thursday at 1 pm in Parsons against Labette Community College (5-3).
