When No. 1 Malcolm welcomed No. 2 Platteview for a March 19 showdown, they knew it would be a dogfight. Last year, the two teams tangled four times with Malcolm winning them all while the combined run differential of the four games was just seven.
“Coming in, we reminded the boys of all the times we played Platteview, and how close every game was,” Malcolm head coach Zach Wehner said. “We knew we were going to have to play well to win.”
In the first of what will likely be several meetings between the conference foes, Malcolm prevailed, 11-5.
The Trojans struck first when Nathan Thomas hit a two-run homer off Maddox Meyer in the top of the first. It was the last hit the UNO commit allowed in his three innings of work.
“Maddox is a warrior out there,” Wehner said. “He did a great job shaking off the start of the game and doing his thing. He didn’t let the home run affect our game plan for attacking their batters.”
Meyer – who fanned eight Trojans – helped his own cause at the plate while getting plenty of assistance from his team. The Clippers piled up 10 hits. After Meyer hit a two-run blast in the bottom of the second to put Malcolm ahead for good, Logan McGreer homered in a five-run bottom of the sixth that sealed the game.
“Maddox knew the way we have been hitting, those two early runs he surrendered weren’t going to win the game,” Wehner said. “The success he’s personally been having at the plate so far this season helps his confidence on the mound.”
Meyer leads the Clippers with eight hits, two home runs and a .615 batting average through four games.
Carson Frank came on in relief of Meyer, allowing one run and one hit over three innings before Mason Wisnieski closed the door by striking out two Trojans in the final frame.
Malcolm opened the week March 18 with a 16-3 romp over Crete-Milford. Taking advantage of timely hitting and some Cardinals’ miscues, the Clippers scored 12 of their 16 runs with two outs.
“We have a lot of guys able to put the ball in play and make things happen,” Wehner said. “We just need to continue being aggressive at that plate and let our bats do their job.”
Luke Schmidt earned his first win of the season as the senior allowed three hits in three innings and struck out two. Owin Little tossed the final two innings and also fanned two Crete batters.
Malcolm (4-0) had its games on March 22 and 23 postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. This week, if the weather cooperates, the Clippers are scheduled to travel to Ralston (1-5) March 25 before hosting No. 7 Adams Central (4-2) on March 26. Malcolm goes to Nebraska City (1-2) Thursday, March 28, then welcomes North Platte (5-0) Saturday, March 30, at 1 p.m.
