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NMCC, Scott City face off in Class 3 sectional
NEW MADRID -- There's reason to celebrate New Madrid County Central's newfound district baseball championship.
It was the first plaque raised by someone in an Eagle jersey in the last 19 years and they did it by thoroughly dismantling the top-seeded team in their district. Rightfully so, members of Eagle nation have been walking a little taller this past week, but if there's one thing the current Eagles baseball team knows it's that they don't want their season to end with just a district title.
"It's been great. The community and the kids are really fired up about it, but now there's a bigger picture ahead," NMCC head coach Joseph McClarty said. "We're taking it one game at a time and we're focused on Scott City. The kids have been working hard in practice and I think we're going to be ready."
Tomorrow, the New Madrid County Central Eagles will take on District 2 winners, Scott City, during the sectional round at Eagle Park in New Madrid at 4 p.m. for a chance to advance to the state quarterfinals.
Although it was a new feeling to most everyone after NMCC defeated the fourth-ranked team in Class 3, Malden, 15-0 in five innings to win the Class 3, District 1 championship, the one who had experienced that feeling before as a player was McClarty.
He was part of NMCC's last district title in 1994 nearly 20 years ago.
"I was lucky enough to experience it as a player and I could talk to the kids about it. I think it really helped," said McClarty. "It's a different feeling as a coach."
This year's championship was NMCC's sixth district title in school history. They won their first championship in 1987 and ran off a string of four-straight titles from 1991-94. The Eagles have never made it to the state final four or past the sectional round, for that matter.
To further make history, they will have to get by the Rams.
Scott City (19-6) knocked off a top-seeded team themselves after Tuesday's district finale. The Rams defeated Clearwater 12-11 and captured their first district title since 2010. Scott City has won 13 district championships in school history. They won a state championship in 2008 and have made six trips to the final four which include two second place and three third place finishes.
"We have a lot of respect for that team and coach (Lance) Amick," McClarty said.
In late March during their third game of the year, NMCC (13-14) defeated Scott City 11-7. The Rams were plagued by defensive miscues in that matchup as they handed NMCC over 10 runs on just five Eagle hits.
Although they hold the season's edge, McClarty won't look to that game as an indicator for Monday's contest.
"They've gotten better and we've gotten better. I'm not putting a whole lot of stock into that game," McClarty said. "That was a long time ago and we were lucky enough to win it."
As gametime approaches, the pitching matchup is still a mystery.
"I'd like to keep that a secret," McClarty said about who he might start. "We have a couple options, let's just put it like that."
McClarty did verify that Jashawn McDaniel, who earned the win against Malden in the district championship game, is available.
Efforts to contact Scott City coach Lance Amick were unsuccessful.
McDaniel, who has an ERA of under 1.50 for the season, struck out nine of the 16 Malden batters he faced and allowed just one runner to reach safely.
McClarty pointed to an aspect of baseball that is key in any game you play as what they will try to do against a heavy-hitting Scott City team who has scored 25 in their last two games.
"You've got to keep it down and change speeds against a good, hitting team like that," McClarty said. "Our defense has to be ready and we have to be able to make the right plays."
Although they have been up and down all season, the Eagles have turned it on offensively as well. In their three district games, NMCC has outscored their opponents 31-5 in 17 innings.
Freshman Drew Pikey leads the team in hitting with an average of .529. Seniors Lane Chamberlain and Timmy Clayton sit with averages of .370 clip and .333. Along with McDaniel, Chamberlain and Clayton, fellow seniors Josh Reed and Logan Frazier have led the Eagles through one of the tougher schedules in the area.
"They've really taken to heart about what we try to teach them at the plate -- try not to pull off the ball or use all fields," said McClarty. "We have six seniors and they've been around. They take a good approach to the plate with them and they're not really intimidated by anybody."
The winner of this sectional will play the winner of St. Pius X and Brentwood Wednesday.
"I expect a good game Monday," said McClarty. "Hopefully we can keep things going."