Darren Mancke sets the tone as leadoff hitter for Cornell baseball

MOUNT VERNON — Cornell’s Darren Mancke has a routine.

The Rams’ leadoff hitter takes the same deliberate walk to the plate. He taps the top of his helmet, strolls behind the umpire to reach the right-handed batter’s box, takes a deep breath and locks in to the at-bat.

The routine has resulted in an 18-game streak of reaching base.

“I’ve knocked on wood a few times when I’ve thought about it,” Mancke said with a laugh. “It’s been great, getting on base for the guys who hit after me and giving those guys RBI opportunities stealing bases so those guys get good pitches to hit.”

Mancke had two hits, a walk, scored twice and drove in a run in the decisive seventh-inning of Cornell’s 9-7 baseball victory over rival Coe in the Bremner Cup Series on Tuesday night at home. Reliever Patrick Montagna struck out the final two batters with the bases loaded to close the Rams’ first win over the Kohawks at Ash Park since 2007.

“We have a very talented team and we’re just learning how to finish,” first-year Cornell head coach Robbie Dombrowski said. “We’re learning how to have a killer mindset and I saw that today.”

“When stuff went wrong for us, we responded every time. I was really proud of them for that.”

Mancke is a three-year starter and was the Rams’ Newcomer of the Year in 2021. He embraced a new role, sliding into the No. 1 spot for the first time. He is third on the team with 17 runs and owns a .405 on-base percentage in 20 games.

“I’ve never really been a leadoff hitter,” Mancke said. “It’s new for me but it’s been crazy. I haven’t changed my mindset. I just keep trying to attack.”

Once he reaches base, Mancke wreaks havoc. He leads the team with 11 stolen bases, including one against the Kohawks.

“He’s a table setter,” Dombrowski said. “The coolest thing about him is he is fast. He really picks them up and puts them down.

“Mancke doesn’t play scared, so that’s the mindset at the top of the lineup that sets the tone for us.”

Dombrowski praised Mancke’s efforts off the field as much as his ability on it. Mancke is a volunteer EMT with plans to go into the medical field. He said he loves the community with plans to stay in the future.

“He’s one of the best kids we’ve got,” Dombrowski said. “He’s an unbelievable student-athletes. He’s one of our best students and leaders on campus. He’s involved in so many extracurricular activities.

“He’s a special kid. I’m proud of him off the field. He’s the standard of what we want in a Cornell Ram.”

Cornell (12-9) used two four-run innings to push past Coe. Mancke had an impact in both frames. He led off the third with a double, scoring on Vince Zipperer’s ground out. Lincoln Greasley added a two-run single followed by Colin Konicek run-scoring base hit.

Mancke’s RBI single in the seventh plated Konicek and gave the Rams a 6-5 lead. He scored on a Zipperer single and Drew Logel produced a two-run double, which was the difference.

“There were a lot of guys putting balls in play,” Mancke said. “That’s what led to those big innings.

“I’m a product of the guys in front of me. The guys at the bottom of the lineup were working at-bats, drawing long counts and when the lineup turns over it is time to go to work for us.”

Mancke had a history with Dombrowski before his arrival to Mount Vernon. He played for Dombrowski in the DairylandCollegiate League. Mancke hadn’t seen Dombrowski in more than a year but had stayed in contact with him. He liked the style of baseball Dombrowski promotes.

“We played fast,” Mancke said. “It showed then and it’s showing now. Coach has been amazing. I’ve seen him coach two teams, totally separate and they play the same way. They play hard and fast. It’s a product of Coach Dombrowski.

“He’s fit in with all the guys that have been here. He’s been huge for us.”

Mancke was one of five Rams to collect multiple hits. Eight starters had at least one and all nine reached base. Cornell finished with 13 total hits. Zipperer, Greasley and Logel led the way with two RBIs apiece.

“It was cool to see every single player being gritty in the batter’s box and just competing,” Dombrowski said. “If we get that the rest of the way, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

Mitchell Eckardt, Creighton Kreshel and Jack Allison had two hits each to lead Coe (13-11). Former Cedar Rapids Jefferson prep Kaden Haller had a home run for the Kohawks.