‘Lopes Win-Streak Ends

The LCC Runnin' Lopes were in action over the weekend with two double-headers against Colby Community College. The 'Lopes had been red hot from the starting gate, winning eleven of their first twelve games, and riding a six game winning streak. The Trojans of Colby, however, planned to stifle the 'Lopes and their hot streak.

The offense of LCC had been nothing short of spectacular throughout the first twelve games, giving them confidence heading into the weekend. The quick-starting offense scored in the first inning again, a statement that had been familiar in the first month of the season. After Sam Scarborough singled on the first pitch of the inning followed by a strikeout, three straight Lopes walked, giving an RBI to Ayden Karraker in the process. Colby's offense has been known to strike early as well, and in the top of the second, a homerun given up by Cook tied the game at one. Colby scored again in the third, taking an advantage over the Lopes.

LCC struck again in the third, this time for two more runs. Karraker was hit by a pitch, and two batters later, Lamar High School graduate Draven Adame unloaded on a Colby curveball for a two-run homerun over the right field wall. Lamar added another run in the fifth on a balk call to give them a 4-2 lead. Colby would add another in the sixth to cut the lead to one.

The Lopes had been perfect in save opportunities in the first twelve games. This was not the case. Christian Peery was asked to close the game, but after a hit-by-pitch and a double, Colby was threatening. Another double scored both runs, and Colby took the lead in the seventh. Lamar would tie it and send the game into extras, however. Catcher Kennedy Badgett walked, and moved up to second base on a wild pitch. Karraker then singled to tie the game. Colby's offense could not be stopped, as they scored 3 more in the top of the eighth. LCC could not score, and the game ended after eight innings, snapping the Lopes six-game winning streak.

Game two had a better outcome for Lamar and pitcher Keven Mackintosh. Two scoreless frames from both pitchers set up the third inning scoring to come. Scott Savage struck out swinging, but reached first on a dropped third strike. Scarborough singled and scored Savage. Karraker hit into a six-five putout to get the lead runner out, but he would score later after a Badgett single. Colby added two in the fourth, but the Lopes would get all they needed in the fifth. Stamper and Reynolds both doubled in the inning, scoring Savage first and then Stamper scored on the Reynolds double. Karraker would also score.

Andrew Coverly, who started the game at shortstop, came in to close the game in the seventh, and did just that, giving the Lopes a game two win. Mackintosh earned another victory on the mound, while Coverly earned his first collegiate save.

Games three and four left LCC with a sour taste in their mouth on the bus ride back from Colby. In game one, two errors led to a huge second inning, where Colby batted around for a six-run inning. The Lopes offense could not muster anything, and after five complete innings, they could only scramble a simple infield single. A few hits and three runs would score in the sixth, but it was already too late. The Lopes dropped game three by a score of 7-3. Game four was not what the 'Lopes had wanted either. Another explosion in the second inning was all Colby needed, scoring five in the inning, adding two more in the third, and one in the fourth. The nine-inning contest ended in a Lopes defeat, 10-1. Crites had four hits in game two, along with two hits and an RBI from Scarborough.

The Lopes dropped three of the four ball games, bringing their record to 12-4 for the season. They will be in action again over the weekend, this time two road conference games against Region IX opponent Northeastern Junior College. The games are scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm.