"Sloppy" Sidney falls to McCook

One play defined Sidney's 12-2 loss at McCook on Sunday.

With bases loaded and one out in the bottom half of the third, a low Scott Phillips pitch skipped away from Sidney catcher Kyle Burton. What ensued was an agonizing comedy of errors-three, in fact-that allowed all three McCook base runners to score.

"Sloppy," said Post 17 third sacker Bradey Holtz when asked to describe the contest. "We had little small mistakes and big mental errors."

Sidney committed seven errors in the final three innings before play was stopped by the 10-run rule. Post 17 pitchers nailed four McCook hitters and issued passes to another nine. Meanwhile, Sidney managed only two hits.

One of those came in the top of the third, with the visitors down by a manageable 3-0. Fitting the nature of the game this day, it came with one out and caused a second.

Jason Hagerman opened the frame by drawing a walk after fouling off several offering by McCook starter Kaden Sitzman. He was erased at second on a fielder's choice when Kyle Burton grounded to short.

Holtz stepped to the plate and drove a low looping fly to right center.

"It was just a fastball, but I had to lunge into it," Holtz explained.

For a fraction of a second the drive snagged in the glove of McCook's diving center fielder Nick Fuchulk.  Seeing this, Sidney courtesy runner Brett Jaggers, sprinted back toward first. But the ball broke loose with Jaggers still in no-man's land. He was forced at second.

Sidney was not finished, however. Mitch Rolls drew a walk and T.J. Garska reached on a throwing error by McCook shortstop Cash Bortner.

Holtz scored easily on the miscue. Rolls sprinted around second, cornered hard around third and crossed the plate before the lackadaisical home side corralled the ball, just in front of the Sidney dugout.

"Rounding second I saw Tommy"-third base coach Tommy Arellano-"waving his arm," Rolls said. "I just put my head down and took off."

The rally ended when Phillips was retired at first on a bang-bang play, the throw from third beating him by split second.

Heading into the bottom of the inning, the score stood at 3-2 in favor of the hosts. But the bizarre three-run passed ball started McCook on a roll. They sent four across in the third, three more in the fourth and two in the finale.

Sidney managed only one more base runner. Arik Doty singled to right with two gone in the fourth.

"We just have to get back to basics-fielding, throwing and a sense of urgency," coach Mark Onstott reported. "We're making uncharacteristic mistakes."

Post 17 was without the services of catcher Colton Onstott, away at an all-star camp in Florida. Also missing was centerfielder Austin Pile, out for two weeks as he serves in the National Guard.

Team composure may have been hampered, as well, by a pair of rain outs on Saturday. Sidney was originally scheduled to take part in a triangular at Shelton and prepared for the event.

The idle Saturday without practice perhaps dulled some of their edge.

"It had some effect," Rolls admitted, "but it shouldn't have."

Post 17 is back in action on Tuesday evening when they host Ogallala. First pitch in the juniors game is slated for 5 p.m., with the seniors to follow.