Sunday, April 20, 2008

WNCC softball sweeps Hutchinson, runs record to 44-6

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball team hit five more home runs as the 44-6 Cougars swept a doubleheader from Hutchinson Community College on Sunday 8-3 and 9-5.

The Cougars also finished the doubleheader with 26 hits and they needed everyone against a Hutchinson squad that entered the contest winners of seven straight and sported a 30-14 record.

WNCC, on the other hand, pushed their winning streak against junior college teams to 23 games and they have won 35 of their last 37 games. Over the last eight games on the four-day road trip, the Cougars blasted 22 home runs in winning all eight games.

Sunday, the Cougars quickly took control of the game behind the pitching of Kelsey Garner, who threw 4 2/3 innings of no-hit ball. Garner finished the contest scattering nine hits and striking out six.

WNCC quickly got things started as Lauren Bourdon blasted a solo home run in the second inning. WNCC added three more runs in the third and two in the fourth to grab a 6-0 lead.

Amanda Torimaru then connected on a solo home run in the fifth for a 7-0 lead. WNCC led 8-0 before the Blue Dragons scored three times in the sixth inning to make the game a tad closer, but not enough for the win.

Torimaru went 3-for-4 for the game including two RBIs, two singles and a home run. Jessie McNabb finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBIs and three singles, while Bourdon went 2-for-4 with two runs and a home run.

WNCC continued its home run parade in the second game with three solo home runs. After the Cougars grabbed a 5-2 lead, Amanda Hensley blasted a shot in the fourth inning. Then, Alec Voci added another home run in the fifth.

Finally, Garner delivered a pinch hit home run in the seventh inning to push the Cougar led to 9-2 before Hutchinson scored three runs in the final at bat.

Natasha Dypchey picked up the win in the circle pitching 6 2/3 innings. Dypchey allowed two runs, while scattering eighth hits and striking out three.

WNCC had a multitude of players come up big at the plate in the contest. Mandy Pounds finished the game going 2-for-2 with an RBI and two singles, while Garner went 1-for-1 with a home run.

Hensley and Kara Ryman each went 2-for-4. Ryman had a RBI and a double, while Hensley finished with a double and home run. Voci also went 1-for-2 with a home run, while Lauren Mills scored a run and had an RBI without an official at bat.

WNCC, 44-6, will return to conference play on Tuesday when they travel to Lamar Community College for one game. If the Cougars win, they will clinch hosting the Region IX tournament which begins May 1. If they lose, they need to win just one game on Thursday at home when they face North Platte Community College.

First Game
WNCC 013 211 – 8 14 1
Hutchinson 000 003 0 – 3 9 2
WP – Garner; HR – Bourdon, Torimaru.

Second Game
WNCC (44-6) 221 120 1 – 9 12 0
Hutchinson (30-16) 101 000 3 – 5 11 0
WP – Dypchey; 2B – Ryman, Hensley; HR – Hensley, Voci, Garner.

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