NCCS sweeps season-opening games at Schoharie

SCHOHARIE | The Northeastern Clinton baseball team opened its 2026 season in strong fashion Saturday, March 28, sweeping a non-conference doubleheader on the road at Schoharie High School. The Cougars posted a 10-7 win over Berne-Knox-Westerlo in the opener before edging host Schoharie, 5-4, in Game 2. Northeastern Clinton 10, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 7 After a back-and-forth start, Northeastern Clinton used timely hitting and steady relief pitching to pull away from Berne-Knox-Westerlo. Tied 4-4 in the third inning, Logan Dragoon entered and stabilized the game, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. Northeastern Clinton regained control with a three-run fifth inning and added insurance late to secure the win. Hayden Schad led the lineup with two hits and two RBIs, while Jacob Perkins and Cobe Lafountain also drove in a pair of runs apiece. Berne-Knox-Westerlo stayed within striking distance throughout, cutting the deficit to three runs in the final inning behind multi-hit performances from Henry Ferguson, Eric Bates and Ben West. "Although it was a cold-weather game, we were happy to get outside on a beautiful turf facility at Schoharie," Northeastern Clinton head coach Jeff Norton said. "Berne-Knox-Westerlo played tough the entire game and cut our lead to three in the last inning. I was happy with our at-bats, showing good discipline and looking to attack when the time was right. Our pitchers did a good job throwing strikes. "Special credit to Logan Dragoon who entered the game in the third inning with us (tied 4-4) and held off Berne-Knox-Westerlo long enough for us to recapture the lead." Northeastern Clinton 5, Schoharie 4 The nightcap proved even tighter, with Northeastern Clinton scoring twice in the top of the seventh inning to complete the sweep. Schoharie grabbed a 4-3 lead in the sixth when Tyler Dingee delivered a two-run single, putting the Cougars on the brink. But Northeastern Clinton responded in the final frame. Jordan Wells started the rally with a one-out single, followed by Robert McIntyre reaching on an error and Evias Carpenter drawing a walk to load the bases. Lincoln Perkins, appearing in his first varsity games, came through with a clutch, game-tying single. Later in the inning, Greyson Lafountain drew a walk to force in the go-ahead run. Cobe Lafountain, who earned the win, was dominant out of the bullpen, striking out four over 1.2 innings without allowing a hit or run to close the door and secure the victory. "Thank you so much to Schoharie for hosting us each year in an early-season game," Norton said. "This game was back and forth, with Tyler Dingee's sixth-inning single scoring two runs to put Schoharie up 4-3. I was proud of our team's response, keeping energy high and getting baserunners on to build an inning in the top of the seventh. "Cobe Lafountain came back out after getting us out of trouble in the sixth inning and recorded three outs in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win. Although we had a few defensive lapses, I was proud of the fight our team brought to the games today. We look forward to returning to Schoharie in May."

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NCCS sweeps season-opening games at Schoharie

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