Pirates Baseball got a road sweep by winning a couple one run games on Thursday at MCC-Maple Woods.  The Pirates prevailed 7-6 to open the day and held on for a 11-10 win in the back end of the doubleheader.  With the wins, the Pirates are now 10-28 and 7-19 in Region 16 play.

In the first inning of the first game, NCMC plated 3 runs and led for the entirety of the game.  The Pirates pounded out 11 hits in game one.  Brandon Whitehead pitched 4.1 innings and allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, to get the win.  Lucas Hampton recorded the save.

Game two saw the Pirates have a 9 run lead heading into the bottom of the 8^th inning.  That is when things got interesting.  Maple Woods finally was able to chase winning pitcher Blake Collister from the game which really sparked their offense.  Reliever Austin Wren was called upon to try to shut down a 2 out rally by the Monarchs but was unsuccessful.  Hampton was called upon for the second time in the day out of the bullpen to close out the win.  He was able to record the final out in the 8^th inning but not before Maple Woods had plated 8 runs to pull within one.  With all the momentum, Maple Woods quickly retired the Pirates in the top of the 9^th inning and looked to complete the comeback in the bottom half of the inning.  However, Hampton was up to the task and recorded his second save of the day retiring the Monarchs in order.

"These wins were just what we needed to help us move up the region standings a bit," commented Coach Hillerman.  With six region games left to play, the Pirates are currently tied for 6^th in the 9 team league.

The Pirates will be back in action to complete the series with MCC-Maple Woods on Saturday at Burleigh Grimes Field.