LCC baseball team reaches final four

By Jayden Hewitt
Sports Editor

The LCC baseball team has survived yet another day with a win over South Arkansas CC on Tuesday, May 30. The final score was 10-0, just two days after the Stars lost to the same team, 11-1.

The win pushes LCC into the next round, a do-or-die elimination game in the NJCAA DII World Series semifinals.

The game will be played at David Allen Park in Enid, Okla. Those looking to keep tabs on the Stars can find a live score on both the LCC website or the NJCAA website. The game will be played at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31.

The Slugging Stars offensive output continued for a second game with three long balls. Infielder Hunter Lay, outfielder Evan Mendoza and designated hitter Talon Rowe all launched home runs. Lay finished with two RBIs, Rowe tallied four of his own while Mendoza knocked in three.

Mendoza and Rowe are both two unlikely sources of offense at this point in the season, something LCC Head Coach Steven Cutter spoke about.

“This team was built for what we are doing right now,” Cutter said. “And playing back-to-back games in multiple days is something that we are very accustomed to. Having a large roster certainly plays a big part in that. We had two position players inserted into the lineup today that made major contributions to our team: Evan Mendoza and Talon Rowe.”

Cutter also spoke about playing South Arkansas after a fresh defeat, and still prevailing.

“South Arkansas is a very good baseball team and they showed us the first time we played them,” Cutter said. “We were able to do the things necessary to neutralize their hitters today. (Pitcher) Lukas Brewer was exceptional on the mound, and our bats did what our bats normally do.”

Brewer went all seven innings, allowing just two hits and zero runs while picking up his ninth victory on the year.

The Stars are now playing with their backs against the wall once again. At 49-11 on the year, the Stars are no stranger to that feeling. A loss would send LCC packing and back to Lansing.

Despite the pressure to succeed, the energy is still high amongst the park. Cutter spoke about the honor it is to play in a World Series.

“Being here at the World Series is extremely special,” Cutter said. “Watching teams go home and seeing that we are part of the final four that are left is what dreams are made of. We are enjoying the moments and will do our best tomorrow (Wednesday) again to make Lansing proud.”