Hawks drop two on Saturday in Oklahoma

ENID, Okla. – The Northeast Community College baseball team opened the 2019 baseball season on the road against No. 5 Northern Oklahoma College-Enid on Saturday, falling 9-2 in Game One of a doubleheader and 3-0 in Game Two in Enid, Okla.

In Game One, Drew Smith (Elkhorn, Neb.) put the Hawks on the scoreboard first with a deep shot to centerfield for an RBI double, scoring Christian Dumont (Bellevue, Neb.).

The Jets responded with three run in the bottom of the first and three more in the bottom of the second to chase starting pitcher Andrew Shaw (Dillon, Colo).

Northeast picked up a run in the top of the fourth when Tanner Hunt (Elkhorn, Neb.) hit the first home run of the year for the Hawks. However, NOC added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth and another in the sixth to keep Northeast from mounting any comeback.

Smith, Hunt and Cale Hlavac (Omaha, Neb.) had the lone hits for the Hawks. Shaw tossed two innings, allowing six hits, six earned runs, four walks and two strikeouts. Reliever Justin Hilton (Lincoln, Neb.) threw four innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs, while walking three and striking out a batter.

In Game Two, the Hawks couldn't muster any offense, despite picking up a hit from Dumont, Hlavac and freshman Brandon Zweiner (Norfolk, Neb.).

Starter Hunter Kelchner (Grand Junction, Colo.) tossed three and one-third innings, giving up seven hits, three earned runs, four walks, while striking out four. Alex Potter (Parker, Colo.) came in relief and struck out three batters in one and two-thirds innings. Michael Ripa (LaVista, Neb.) tossed an inning of relief, allowing just a hit.

The Hawks (0-2) take on the Jets in another doubleheader with first pitch slated for 12 p.m., today in Enid, Okla.

For all news related to Northeast Community College athletics, visit northeasthawks.com for complete coverage. Fans can also follow the Hawks on Twitter @NortheastHawks for game-day coverage.