Storm baseball closes another winning season

A strong sophomore class powered the SCC baseball team to back-to-back Region championships and one win away from the NJCAA D2 College World Series. The Storm will lose eight sophomores after this year.

“Our sophomores were a great group to coach,” Head Coach Dion Parks said. “They are a big part of the foundation here.”

The players won a total of 81 games, including a school record for most wins (42) in a single season.

“They have had a really good run here, “Parks said. “Tyson (Parks) and I appreciate everything they have given to SCC.”

The season came to an end in the winner-take-all District championship game against North Iowa Area Community College when the Storm fell 22-4 at Christensen Field, Monday, May 18.

SCC dropped the first game of the series 9-8, on Sunday, May 17. The Storm then blasted seven home runs to take down the Trojans 17-1, to cap a festive doubleheader in which gates opened early for tailgating fans.

“Wow … the Sunday atmosphere was fantastic, and we appreciate all the support,” Parks exclaimed. “It looked like people were having a lot of fun.”

Parks was at a loss to explain the lopsided margin of victory in games two and three.

“That’s baseball … anything can happen I guess,” Parks said.

The coach said his hitters may have pressed too much in game three.

“I think there was a combination of things that affected us,” Parks explained. “The first thing was we couldn’t stop them, and so at the plate, you try to do much and just miss pitches. Their pitcher (Chad Christensen) made a lot of quality pitches in spots, so give him credit for that.”

Looking back on the season, the coach said the team played up to his expectations.

“Our expectations for this team were the same as any other team we have had here … and that is play with great effort,” Parks said. “I thought we did that. We appreciate the effort these guys put into the season.”