Pioneer defense disappears in loss to Plattsmouth

PLATTSMOUTH, Neb. - Just two days after applauding his team for its great defense in a Top 10 win over Norris, Nebraska City head coach Kyle Ferguson was frustrated with the defensive effort in a six-run loss to No. 4 ranked Plattsmouth in a game where the Pioneers committed seven errors at Blue Devil Stadium Thursday.

After taking a 4-1 lead in the top of the third, Nebraska City's (7-9) defense committed four errors and starter Zac Hawley allowed an additional six hits in Plattsmouth's seven-run third inning that all but decided the game.

The Blue Devils sent 12 batters to the plate in the frame as seemingly every ball put in play on the infield bounced or ricocheted off a Pioneer glove. The scoring happened after Nebraska City rolled a 6-4-3 double play. 

Two E4's, an E5 and E2 later, the Pioneers three run advantage turned to a four-run deficit. Something that easily should've been avoided.

"I just looked at that seven-run inning, we were out of it," Ferguson said after the game. "We were out of it with no runs given up and next thing I know (Plattsmouth) put up a seven spot."

The inning eventually ended when Gage Olsen popped out to second base, but the damage was done. Plattsmouth (11-3) would add two additional runs in the fourth after a leadoff double by Drew Iverson was followed by a single from Eli Horner. 

Gabe Villamonte walked to load the bases, which knocked Hawley out of the game. Enter reliever Zach Bassinger who was welcomed to the game by another error at shortstop--a play that should've resulted in a double play that instead gave the Blue Devils a run. 

From there, Villamonte shut down the Pioneer offense, only allowing two hits after the fourth inning while striking out four. Villamonte battled all game, especially after getting clobbered in the third inning. 

The Pioneers first four batters all singled in the third and they eventually sent nine men to the plate in a four-run inning. But Villamonte continued to pitch while his offense--and the Nebraska City defense--helped him out. 

"He did a really great job," Blue Devils skipper Jim Olsen said. "After we got the lead for him he really started to settle in."

Villamonte finished with seven strikeouts on 101 pitches, giving up four runs on 10 hits. Besides the Blue Devils right-hander, centerfielder Ethan Walker had himself a day. 

The No. 2 man in the order is coming off an injury sustained during the football season and is just beginning to round into form according to Olsen. The left-handed hitting outfielder was on base four times, while going 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. His speed and aggressiveness on the basepaths may have also inadvertently led to two balks by Pioneer hurlers. 

"He's lightning quick which puts a lot of pressure on the other team," Olsen said. "He had some ribbies for us and plays a great centerfield."

Olsen added the next step for his team is avoiding a let down on the road against Fairbury on Saturday. As for Ferguson and the Pioneers, Thursday's loss wasn't the end of the world. 

Nebraska City still has a few juggernauts remaining on its schedule, beginning with Blair Friday and Omaha Gross on Saturday. The message from the head coach was simple. 

"We'll go back to the drawing board, fix some stuff and we'll be all right," Ferguson said.

Sloan Pelican went 3-for-4 with an RBI while Sam Rovetto added two hits and two RBIs to lead Nebraska City. Walker and Horner each had multiple hits for the Blue Devils. 

Box Score:

Nebraska City (7-9): 0, 0, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0 - 4, 10, 7

Plattsmouth (11-3): 1, 0, 7, 2, 0, 0 - 10, 11, 2