NMCC begins year with 18-0 rout over Caruthersville

NEW MADRID -- Coming into their first game of the year, one of New Madrid County Central's main concerns was how so much turnover in the lineup this offseason would affect their offense.

At least for one day the Eagles got a positive answer as they opened the season on Tuesday with a dominant 18-0 mercy-rule win over Caruthersville.

"I'm very impressed with the way we swung that bats," NMCC head coach Joseph McClarty said. "Jashawn McDaniel came out and threw strikes and did what he needed to do. We were able to work everybody in the game and get everybody some playing time."

After shutting out the Tigers in the top of the first, the Eagles got to work quickly thanks to some major struggles by Caruthersville pitching. An initial groundout was followed by 10 straight NMCC hitters reaching safely and by the end of the frame the Eagles were just one batter short of batting around the order twice.

Austin Godwin got things going with a groundball up the middle to score the first two runs of the game and before long hits by Austin Lynn and Lane Chamberlain scored another two runs each.

By the end of the inning, the Eagles put up a monster 11-run rally on five hits and seven walks while taking advantage of a couple of errors.

With most at-bats going deep in the count, McClarty credited his kids patience at the plate with their ability to break things open.

"It's not easy (being patient), especially early on because it's the first game and kids are amped up and ready to swing the bats," McClarty said. "We did a good job being patient and taking walks. Then when the ball was in the zone we squared it up and hit it hard."

With the game seemingly already in hand, the Eagles put up another four runs in the second frame to go up 15-0 and rounded out the scoring with a three-run rally in the third inning that made up the final.

"We played well," McDaniel said. "Everybody hit the ball and we backed it up with defense."

Besides contributing on offense, McDaniel picked up the win with a solid four innings where he shutout Caruthersville while allowing only two hits and a pair of walks. He struck out eight in the contest, retiring the side in order in the second and fourth frames.

Making his feat on the mound even more impressive was the fact that McDaniel had more than 30 minutes between innings at one points as NMCC continued to put up big offensive drives.

"We had some long innings there but he did a good job of keeping himself loose in between innings," McClarty said of McDaniel. "He was ready to go, threw strikes and did what he was suppose to do.

"We were glad to get him a 'W' right off the bat this year and give him some run support. He's struggled to get run support last year so that was a good sign."

Leading the offensive attack on a day where the Eagles racked up a collective 11 hits was Godwin.

Godwin was a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with a double and five RBIs while Lane Chamberlain had the team's only other extra-base hit, a double.

Besides their 11 hits, NMCC also collected 13 free passes on the contest.

The Eagles will look to keep things rolling when they travel to Kelly Thursday to play the Hawks at 4 p.m.

Caruthersville 000 00 - 0

NMCC (11)43 0x - 18

WP -- JaShawn McDaniel. LP -- Hunter Trevathan. Multiple hitters: (N) Austin Godwin 4-4. 2B -- (N) Godwin, Lane Chamberlain.