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Pioneers Open Season With Doubleheader Losses to Northeastern JC

Pioneers Open Season With Doubleheader Losses to Northeastern JC
Posted: Feb 14, 2026

Game 1 - Pioneers 0... Northeastern JC 7

The MCC Pioneer bats apparently got left in Miles City as the Pioneers were able to only get one hit in the 2026 season opener. The NJC Plainsmen used 3 pitchers to combine for a one-hitter in a 7-0 win over the Pioneers in Sterling, Colorado. 

The Pioneers lone hit was a double by Ethan Forrest (2B - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) in the top of the 2nd inning. NJC got on the board with 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st and then topped that off with 2 more in the 3rd and another 2 in the 5th inning. 

11 Pioneers struck out in game 1. Tanner Hagar (Casper, WY) got the start to open the 2026 season for MCC and pitched 5 innings (8 H, 7 R, 4 ER, BB, 4 SO). He was relieved by Logan Bertagnolli (West Jordan, UT) for the final inning (H, SO).

Inside the Box Score

  • NJC had 9 hits (HR, 2 2B) and MCC had just 1. 
  • MCC had 2 errors and NJC had 1. 
  • NJC had 3 stolen bases. 
  • NJC batters struck out only 5 times. 
  • Pioneer pitchers allowed only 1 walk and Plainsmen pitchers allowed just 2. 

 

Game 2 - Pioneers 5... Northeastern JC 13

MCC was able to plate 5 runs on 8 hits in game 2 but unfortunately Pioneer batters struck out 18 times in the game and NJC scored 11 runs in the final 4 innings to rally from a 4-2 deficit to game a sweep over MCC with a 13-5 win Saturday afternoon. 

Chance Descalchuk (DH - Regina, Saskatchewan) had a big game for the Pioneers going 4-4 at the plate with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Descalchuk connected on a 2-run home run in the top of the 5th inning after a Holden Christensen (C - Casper, WY) single and also had 3 singles. Brysen Herion (1B - Kalispell, MT) connected for a 2-run homer in the 4th inning and Ethan Forrest had a solo shot in the 7th inning. 

NJC got 2 runs in the 3rd and MCC tied the game in the 4th. The Pioneers took the lead with 2 more in the 5th inning but NJC immediately tied the game with 2 in the bottom of the 5th. The big blow to the Pioneers was a 5-run 6th inning by the Plainsmen. 

Lee Neubebauer (Rapid City, SD) got the start for MCC and pitched 5.2 innings (11 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 9 SO) and was relieved by Ryan Kelly (Miles City, MT) for the final 2.1 innings (6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 3 SO). 

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers had 8 hits (3 HR) and NJC had 17 (5 HR, 2 2B, 3B).
  • There were 30 combined strikeouts in the game as Pioneer batters struck out 18 times and NJC batters 12. 
  • NJC pitchers allowed 7 walks and MCC pitchers allowed just 1. 
  • MCC had 2 stolen bases and NJC had 3. 
  • Each team was hit by pitch once. 

The same 2 teams will play another doubleheader tomorrow at 11:00 and 1:30 in Sterling, CO.