WNCC softball sweeps Air Force in doubleheader

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – It took the Western Nebraska Community College softball team three inning to wake up offensively, but once they did, the Cougar women scored 19 runs and pounded out 18 hits in sweeping the Air Force Academy 8-1 and 11-2.

The Cougars’ Allie Griffin was a huge force on the day, earning the game one victory from the circle. The freshman also finished the doubleheader 3-for-5 with four RBIs, a run scored and a double.

Griffin threw a masterful game in the opener, scattering four hits, while striking out four Falcon batters.

Offensively, the Cougars had five extra base hits of their seven total. Lauren Mills had the big blast with a 2-run home run in the fifth inning. Also collecting extra base hits were Amanda Hensley with a triple, and Griffin, Lourdon and Jessie McNabb with doubles.

The Cougars continued their torrid offense in game two, scoring three times in the first and fourth and two times in the second and third on 11 hits.

WNCC had three players collect multiple hits. Griffin and Amanda Torimaru each went 2-for-3, while Hensley went 2-for-4. Torimaru had two runs scored, a RBI and a double, while Griffin had two runs scored and two RBIs.

Whittany Foster and Lauren Mills also had good games. Foster went 1-for-1 with a runs scored, two RBIs and two walks, while Mills had two walks and two RBIs.

Natasha Dypchey picked up the win going 3 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and striking out five. Ashley Patton finished the game, scattering two hits, allowing two runs and striking out two.

WNCC, 6-3, will be back in action today when they face Trinidad State Junior College in a Region IX doubleheader. The Trojans enter the contest after falling twice to North Platte Community College in Region IX games on Saturday.

Game One
WNCC 000 35 – 8 7 1
Air Force 100 00 – 1 4 3
WP – Griffin; 2B – McNabb, Griffin, Bourdon; 3B – Hensley; HR – Mills.

Game Two
WNCC 322 31 – 11 11 1
Air Force 000 20 – 2 3 2
WP – Dypchey; 2B – Torimaru.