It took the No. 12-ranked Neosho County Community College Panther baseball team three innings to finally get things clicking offensively Wednesday afternoon.

Yes, by that point, they were already in front 5-0, but it wasn't to Coach Steve Murry's satisfaction.

"Even though we were scoring runs, we weren't squaring balls up," he said. "I thought from the fourth inning on in the first game, we started to relax and hit the ball really well."

In turn, the Panthers added six more runs in the home half of fourth inning to shutout the Baker University Wildcats, 11-0.

Things weren't much different in game two as Neosho County defeated Baker 12-1 as both games ended in five innings.

In game one, the Panthers didn't waste anytime getting runners on, loading the bases with no out. Freshman outfielder Nolan Beets doubled driving in all three base runners. Neosho County added two more in the second, and exploded with six in the fourth behind a solo home run by freshman Joe Mondragon and a two-run blast by sophomore catcher Cooper Minnick. Sophomore shortstop Josh Norlin went 3-of-3 at the plate with three RBIs. Sophomore outfielder Nate Crossman and Beets collected two hits apiece and combined for four RBIs. Starting pitcher Tyler McGrew went the distance with four strike outs and surrendering four hits. "I thought our pitching was really good for two freshman," Murry said.
 

In game two, the Panthers scored three runs in the first and third innings before plating six in the fourth. Freshman second baseman Kaleb De La Torre led off the frame with a single, followed by two walks. Minnick, freshman Nate Vossman and former Chanute Blue Comet Kenton Richards all doubled pushing the lead to 12-0. Baker scored its only run of the afternoon following a leadoff triple and balk. Freshman Braydon Phillips went the distance with nine strikeouts and three walks. "We threw too many pitches in the second game," Murry said. (Phillips) has got to learn to throw strike one, strike two."

Overall, the Neosho County coach was happy with the wins to open the season. "You can preach, preach and preach how it's the same game, but when it's first college game coming from high school, there are going to be nerves, no matter who you are," Murry explained. "We got those out today, so hopefully we come out this weekend and relax and play our game." Minnick and Vossman went 2-for-3 at the plate and combined for five RBIs.

The Panthers will host Ottawa University JV for a weekend four-game series. On Saturday, first pitch is slated at noon, and on Sunday, the doubleheader will get underway at 1 pm.

"(Ottawa) gave Highland all they wanted (Tuesday) so we need to be geared up," Murry concluded. "We'll be able to start our weekend starters and see what they can do."