The North Platte First Nationals American Legion baseball team started the season with two losses on Saturday in Scottsbluff.
The First Nationals traveled to Scottsbluff for a doubleheader to begin the 2014 season and appeared to forget their bats in game one, losing 7-0. North Platte only had two hits in the game, both singles off the bats of Drew Callaghan and Luke Volz. Ty Brockmoller took the loss on the mound, allowing seven runs on nine hits in three and two-thirds innings. He allowed seven runs, but only three of them were earned as North Platte committed two errors in the game.
Game two was a different story, but it still ended up with Scottsbluff the victor, 11-10. Scottsbluff jumped out to an early 7-2 lead before North Platte scored seven runs in the top of the fourth inning to go up 9-7. The First Nationals scored one more run in the seventh inning, but Scottsbluff scored two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings to earn the win. North Platte was led by Callaghan at the plate. He went 2-4 with three RBI, a double and a run scored. Darian Allberry got the start on the mound for the First Nationals and gave up six runs, three earned, on three hits in two innings. Dalton Pflughaupt came in, in relief and pitched the final four and one-third innings, giving up five runs, two earned, on seven hits while taking the loss. Pflughaupt also struck out five batters in the game. The First Nationals committed six errors in the game.
North Platte’s next game is Tuesday on the road against Hershland in Hershey. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:00 pm. The First Nationals were scheduled to have their home-opener on Wednesday with a doubleheader against Columbus, but Columbus had to cancel because of a conflict. The game has been postponed to a later date yet to be determined.
