Feb. 25, 2007

When Greely sophomore Pat Roche took off for third base in the top of the sixth inning in the second game of a doubleheader against Seward County, he knew he had taken a serious risk.

But the risk paid off when Seward shortstop Austin Roff fielded a ground ball and threw to third in an attempt to get Roche, the ball ricocheted off Roche's Helmet and into the Seward dugout.

"I just wanted to make it to third base without getting yelled at," Roche said. "I started running right toward the third baseman's glove to try to be in the way of the throw. I saw the ball go in the dugout and thought `job accomplished and I didn't get in trouble.' A couple guys came up clutch and things just kinda went our way."

The run proved to be the difference in a 6-5 Plainsmen victory on Sunday, pushing the group's overall record to 3-1 on the season.

Head Coach Bryan Shepherd said the win hit closer to home for him as former standout pitcher for Seward County.

"Any time you can go in and beat a team like Seward County on their field is an accomplishment in itself. It makes it sweeter since I played for coach (Galen) McSpadden it's always nice to come in and get a win on his field."

Freshman Ty Cardona of Johnstown picked up his first win of the season. Cardona threw five complete innings before giving way for first baseman Danny Brock.

The freshman from Loveland came on to pick up the save with two innings of scoreless relief of Cardona. Brock also led the Plainsmen at the plate with a 2-for-4 performance that produced two RBIs.

"I felt like we gave away the first game," Brock said. "We each needed to go out and personally take it upon ourselves to make sure we didn't lose two. We worked all winter just to make sure everything way it should be with my swing and my mechanics on the mound. It felt good to get out of the gym and face hitters in a game-winning situation."