NIACC sweeps Minnesota North-Hibbing
- NIACC scores 27 runs in doubleheader sweep
- Sammler collects 2 triples in Game 1 win
- Lyman strikes out career-best 9 in Game 2
CLARION - The NIACC baseball team swept Minnesota North College-Hibbing Saturday in a non-conference doubleheader at the Clarion-Goldfield/Dows field.
NIACC (7-9) won the first game 17-7 in five innings and completed the sweep with a 10-0 6-inning victory in game two.
It was the second shutout of the season for the Trojans, who also swept Allen County CC 10-0 in five innings in game one of a twinbill on Feb. 10.
In the first game Saturday, NIACC scored eight runs in the first inning and pushed across three runs in each of its next three frames.
The 17 runs by NIACC was its second highest run total this season. The Trojans topped Allen County CC 22-1 in the second game of a doubleheader on Feb. 9.
NIACC's Charlie Harms collected three hits, including a double, scored two runs and had one RBI. Caden Sammler was 2 for 2, including two triples, with three runs scored and three RBIs.
It is the first time a NIACC player had two triples in one game since Eli Anderson had two against Ellsworth in second game of a doubleheader on April 5, 2023.
It is the fourth time since 2013 that a NIACC player had two triples in one game. Other than Sammler and Anderson, Franco Barbieri had two against Southwestern in 2021 and Spencer Halloran had two in a NJCAA district tournament game against DCTC in 2016.
NIACC's Eli Anderson was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and one RBI.
NIACC stole eight bases against the Cardinals, including two from Anderson and two from Trey Stocker. The eight stolen bases was the most in a game in the Josh Merrill era.
The eight stolen bases was the most in a game for the Trojans since they swiped six bases against Ellsworth in first game of a doubleheader on April 5, 2023.
Trevor Hamil (1-0) picked up his first career victory in relief for the Trojans. Hamil, a freshman right-hander, allowed one hit and no runs with three strikeouts and one walk in 2 2/3 innings of work.
In the second game, John Lyman, John Skoro and Mason Stroh combined to toss a 2-hit shutout against the Cardinals.
Lyman (1-1) gained the win allowing one hit with a career-best nine strikeouts and two walks in four innings of work.
Skoro pitched a hitless fifth inning with one strikeout and Skoro allowed one hit with two strikeouts in his one inning of work. The three Trojans combined to strike out 12 Cardinal hitters, which matched the team's season high.
NIACC pounded out 11 hits to score its 10 runs. Darcy Barry was 3 for 3, including a home run, with three runs scored and three RBIs. Harms was 2 for 3, including a triple, with two RBIs.
The final game of the series is slated for a nine-inning contest Sunday at noon.
2024 NIACC baseball season highs
Hitting:
Runs scored – 22 vs. Allen County CC (2nd game DH) (2-9-24) – Won 22-1
Hits – 15 vs. Barton County CC (3-2-24)
Doubles – 6 vs. Allen County CC (2nd game DH) (2-9-24)
Triples – 2 vs. Minnesota North College-Hibbing (1st game DH) (3-9-24)
Home runs – 2, twice.
Stolen bases – 8 vs. Minnesota North College-Hibbing (1st game DH) (3-9-24)
Pitching:
Strikeouts – 12, three times.