NCMC baseball is off to a solid start to their fall season despite some key injuries. On Saturday, the Pirates downed Truman State 11-5 on the road to improve to 3-3 in fall exhibitions. Wins have come over John Wood CC, Graceland University and Truman State. The Pirates took losses to Kansas City Kansas CC and a pair to Metropolitan CC.
For the fall, NCMC's offense has maintained a batting average of .313 and scored 43 runs over 57 innings. Leading the way is freshman standout outfielder Javier Suarez. His stat line includes a .640 batting average, 6 runs scored and 6 RBIs over 28 plate appearances. Also shining for NCMC this fall is sophomore catcher Cesar Grau. He's batting .583 including a homer and 6 RBI. Leading the Pirates in runs scored is cornerstone third baseman Wilmer Jimenez with 7. He's batting at a .500 clip.
On the mound, 10 NCMC hurlers carry a 0.00 ERA in limited innings. Sophomores Dylan McIntyre, Jose Calcano and Jordi Ventura are in that mix and have looked dominating. Calcano leads the team in strikeouts with 8 over 4 innings pitched. As a team, NCMC's ERA is a miniscule 2.54. That dominant pitching and team defense is something they will look to continue to build upon as the fall progresses.
The team's success has come despite a multitude of injuries to key players. Returning All-American Julio Guerrero hasn't taken an at-bat this fall due to a lingering hamstring pull. Also with a pulled hamstring is transfer first baseman Chase Maddox, an injury he got on an outstanding defensive stretch in last week's games against Metropolitan CC. Returning shortstop Alejandro Paz is dealing with elbow soreness, which kept him out of Saturday,'s game. Utility man Rafael Calcano has yet to play this fall as he is on the mend from a broken thumb he suffered competing for the Chillicothe Mudcats this summer. On the mound, freshman Endrick Reyes has been hampered by a sore shoulder but should be back in action soon. He figures to be a key piece on the mound for the Pirates come spring.
The Pirates have five road dates before their next action at Burleigh Grimes. That will be a home matchup with Indian Hills CC on October 15th. First pitch is set for 2pm.