Panthers Get Runner-Up in MCAC Championship

York College wins three in a row but fall 3-4 in championship game

Steddon Sikes - York College beats Bellevue University 4-3 in game 6 of the MCAC Championship with Keaton Holland, senior from Montgomery, Texas, as the winning pitcher.

After a rough start to the MCAC Tournament where the #1 seeded Panthers fell victim in the first round to Oklahoma Wesleyan, York gave the fans at Levitt Stadium something special to cheer about over the next two days. In game two, York defeated Peru State 7-1 with LHP Bruce Amende, senior from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, going the entire game for the win. In game three, the Panthers belted out 16 runs over Oklahoma Wesleyan to place themselves in today's games against Bellevue University. Right handed pitcher Andrew Matheny, senior from Pittsburg, Calif., went 9 innings for the 16-3 win.

Keaton Holland got the 4-3 win in game four against Bellevue, placing York in the championship game against #2 seeded Bruins. In game seven, the Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after three innings but Bellevue scored big in the seventh, taking a one run lead. In the bottom of the ninth, Kris Little gave the Bruins a scare with his leadoff double, but the Panther offense couldn't bring him home and the game ended with Bellevue as the MCAC Tournament Champs with a 4-3 victory.

York finished the year 39-14 (.736) — the most victories and highest winning percentage of all four-year colleges and universities in Nebraska. They were ranked as high as 19th in the nation and finished at No. 24 in the NAIA polls after the tournament. Despite their success in winning the MCAC regular season, the team did not receive an invitation to the NAIA National Championships that begin on May 12. Congratulations Coach Harlan and Coach Walth and the entire Panther baseball program on an incredible season!

Click here for Jack Vincent's views from the News-Times on the tournament and season.
Click here for Tournament coverage.