The Marshalltown Community College baseball team traveled to Sedalia, Missouri Saturday afternoon to take on the Roadrunners of State Fair Community College for their first games of the 2018 season. While the Tigers played in their first game of the year, the Roadrunners were playing in their fifth. A tough start for the Roadrunners who have lost their first four games of the year. The Tigers dropped both 7-inning games on Saturday before falling 11-1 in six innings on Sunday.

Saturday, February 17 Game 1

The Tigers first game of the season started slow with both teams failing to score in the first two innings, the third inning saw some action as Steven Bradbury and Derek Shinkles each scored for the Roadrunners. The fourth inning saw MCC's Brodie Paulson hit a double to right field but it was not until the sixth inning that the Tigers got on the board when Marking Serrano batted in the only run of the day. Sophomore Duncan Snider pitched all seven innings for the Tigers, recording nine strikeouts on 79 total pitches for a 1.50 ERA. This Tigers ended with three hits and an error.

Saturday, February 17 Game 2

The second game did not fare any better for the Tigers, dropping game two 3-2. The Roadrunners scored in the third inning from a Steven Bradbury single. The Tigers answered in the fourth when Diego Almonte batted in Marving Serano on a double to left field. The Tiger defense struggled in the fifth and sixth innings, giving up a run apiece. The Tigers were able to bring one run in, in the seventh inning but ran out of steam before forcing extra innings. David Davila pitched the majority of the game for the Tigers, throwing seven strikeouts in his 80 pitches for a 3.86 ERA. Miguell Silverio and Pedro Ballester came in in relief, throwing 24 pitches collectively.

Sunday, February 18 Game 3

The Tigers struggled on the mound and defensively in the third and final game of the three game series Sunday afternoon. The Tigers gave up eleven runs while committing four errors. Jose Mieses batted in the only run of the day for the Tigers in the third inning. Walter Hernandez and Greg Glass pitched the majority of the game, each throwing 58 pitches. Hernandez ended the day with a 3.38 ERA, Glass finished slightly higher with a 4.50 ERA. State Fair's Tyler Crane, PJ Esposito, Steven Bradbury, and Jacob Mitchell all had solid days at the plate, with each recording at least one RBI. The Roadrunners finished with a .462 batting average as a team.

The Tigers will get a week off before traveling to Smyrna, Tennessee on Friday, February 23, to take on Motlow State Community College. The Bucks are 4-6 so far this season. After losing their first four games, they have rebounded, winning four of their last six. With less than 20 at bats, freshman catcher Paul McIntosh leads the Bucks with a .389 batting average and a .722 slugging percentage. The Tigers will take the field for the double header Friday at 12:00 and 2:30 PM. The two teams will battle it out again on Saturday, February 24, again starting at 12:00 and 2:30.