Bergan tops NC baseball

By Kirt Manion
News-Press

Fremont-Bergan posted four runs in the first inning and four more in the second to take command of last Thursday’s 13-3 win over Nebraska City.

Travis Peterson started on the mound for the Pioneers, and, although the numbers may indicate he struggled, Coach Tom Bales said his hurler’s performance wasn’t as rough as one might think.

Bales said Peterson was hitting his spots with pitches but wasn’t getting the benefit of close calls, which resulted in walks.

Peterson attempted to adjust his pitches in an effort to bring them in to the strike zone and Fremont Bergan began to rack up hits.

Shawn Hermann ended up relieving Peterson on the mound. He worked four innings and was able to slow down Fremont Bergan’s offense.

Coach Bales said he was pleased with Hermann’s performance adding that the Pioneer did a good job of throwing strikes.

Offensively, the Pioneers were held to three runs on seven hits.

The first Pioneer run came in the fifth inning when Hermann was hit by a pitch, advanced on an error off a ball put in play by Nick Boone and scored on an RBI single by Garrett Anthens.

Matt Russell led off the sixth inning with a single, advanced on a John Russell double, and scored on a wild pitch. Kevin Rademacher drew a walk before Logan Ehlers brought home John Russell with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Matt Russell ended up as the offensive leader for the Pioneers. He went 3-for-4 with a double. Coach Bales said Russell has been hitting the ball well of late.

Peterson hit 2-for-3 while John Russell and Anthens had the other Pioneer hits.

Nebraska CIty, 0-2, will return to action tonight (Tuesday) for a game at Bellevue East. Game time for the varsity only contest is 4:30 p.m.

The Pioneers will play a varsity doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p.m. Thursday before opening the home schedule at 4:30 p.m. Monday against Seward for a varsity and junior varsity contests.

The varsity game will be played first.