RODRIGUEZ THROWS NO-HITTER AS HAWKS SWEEP PANTHERS

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College baseball team was back at Norfolk Veterans Memorial Field in Norfolk Wednesday to finish their season series with Ellsworth Community College. The Hawks were big winners on the day as they took both showdowns by final scores of 8-0 and 9-8.

Northeast (33-14, 17-8 ICCAC) penciled Gabe Rodriguez (Thornton, Colo.) in as the Game 1 starter and that proved to be the correct decision as the freshman tossed a complete game, struck out six batters and did not allow a single hit. Rodriguez's no-hitter was the second of the campaign for the Hawks as Clay Beaumont (Tekamah, Neb.) also pulled off the feat back on March 22 against Des Moines Iowa Area Community College. There was plenty of run support for the righty in the batter's box as the Northeast offense tallied runs in all but the third inning to cruise to victory.

Game 2 was a much tighter affair as the Hawks had to break a tie in the seventh inning with the Panthers to prevail. Derek Woolwine (Boulder, Colo.) continued his tear as of late as he went 4-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, four RBIs and two runs in the matchup. Rusty Wortman (Gretna, Neb.) also blasted his fifth home run of the season in the ballgame.

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head baseball coach Marcus Clapp on the win and the no-hitter from Gabe Rodriguez:

"I'm so happy for Gabe!" Clapp said. "He obviously threw the ball really well and competed. For only his second start, that's really impressive. That was a big sweep today and series win."

Clapp on the seventh ranked team in the country coming in Saturday:

"This weekend should be very exciting and the guys should be ready to go," Clapp said.

UP NEXT:

Northeast will host a massive series next as conference leader No. 7 Southeastern Community College will come to town and compete in a three-game set starting with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday at Norfolk Veterans Memorial Baseball Field in Norfolk.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

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