The Current Online

by Lisa Codding

The sights and sounds of spring are usually a welcome sight to all of us after a long winter, and it’s no different for the men of the Maple Woods baseball team.

“Every year our goals are to win 40 games, be the number one seed in Region XVI, become Regional Champions, South Central District Champions, make it to the World Series, and become National Champions. Those goals have not changed this year and we expect great things out of our squad this year,” said Justin Munson, assistant baseball coach.

The team has no lack of talent on this year’s squad. Third baseman Beau Stoker was drafted in the 18th round by the Minnesota Twins out of high school. He will have another shot at being selected in this year’s upcoming MLB Draft. Right fielder Will Carter was one of the country’s leaders in RBIs and doubles last year as a freshman, and Ryan Cooper, centerfielder, was an All-Region selection last year while having one of the best batting averages in the country at .417.

“It isn’t too hard to balance school and baseball,” said Cooper.   “The only thing that is challenging is most of the classes. I tend to wait till the last minute to do those things and could interfere with baseball a bit.  We are required to practice everyday of the week and I usually go up to the indoor on my own two to three times a week as well.”

Homes games for the Monarchs are on the field  just south of the Maple Valley State Schoolwhich is adjacent to MCC-Maple Woods. The team schedule is posted on the athletic website at http://athletics.mcckc.edu/mwbball/.

“We look forward to and appreciate all the support from the student body, administration, and staff,” Munson said.

You can have your chance to see the Monarchs in action. Upcoming home games include March 16^th against Jefferson, and March 17^th against Northeastern Oklahoma.

MCC-Longview’s volleyball team finished with a 6-1 record at their first spring season tournament on April 6. The Lakers were the only community college team  at the tournament, hosted by Mid-America Nazarene University.  The Lakers dominated Benedictine College with four wins and Graceland University with two wins.  They tied each of those teams once. The games were based on a 45-minute time period instead of best of three or best of five games.  The team’s next  tournament is on April 20 at Rockhurst University.

~Taylor Carmichael

by Taylor Carmichael

The Longview Lakers volleyball team has been looking forward to March 1 since the day their fall season ended in November of 2012.  March 1^s begins the Lakers 2013 spring season.

With a positive outlook as to what the spring season will bring, the Lakers’ game plan is to use strength, conditioning and positive work ethic to bring them to the top.  The team is led by a solid group of six sophomores who are returning for their last season .  The rest of the team is made up of five freshman and head coach Rob Kaleikau. [...]

Interested in hockey? Check out MCC’s Night with the Mavericks on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Independence Events Center. Student tickets for the game are only $10 while guests are $15 and tickets are available for purchase in CC 253, the Campus Life and Leadership Office. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m. Students attending will also have an opportunity to purchase $1 hotdogs, receive free t-shirts, and ride the Zamboni.

~Emily Ellsworth

The Lakers’ season opened with a double-header against Independence CC (Kansas) on Feb. 14. Click on the photo to see the slide show. (Lindsey Moore/The Current).

by Katie Cross

Longview Lakers baseball took the field on February 14 against Independence Community College (Kansas), so the season is under way, but not without some bumps: on Feb. 2 pitcher Zack Morris got “domed” – he was hit in the back of the head with a baseball at an indoor practice.

According to head coach Clint Culbertson, Morris is “fine,” and the season is underway.

The dedicated team practices six to seven times a week. Ryan Spry, a second-year pitcher, says the team will be better, faster and more athletic because of their hard-working practices.

“We have a lot of talent and drive,” said  Brandon Dulin, a first-year first baseman.

Pitcher Blake Stephens said he can relate to his teammates. “We have a lot more speed and talent from previous years and we’ve done a lot better in the class as well,” Stephens said, noting that the team has improved in the classroom. Culbertson  complimented the team this year for their academics.

Dulin says the Lakers have bonded and are good as a team and have good chemistry. The goals for this season are imple: advance to the World Series, get a chance at National Championship.

“I just want to play baseball,” Dulin said.