WNCC softball stops Chadron State, Wyoming in Fall Classic

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team finished the WNCC Fall Classic in dominating fashion Saturday night, with two impressive wins against Chadron State College 7-0 and the University of Wyoming 9-1.

The Cougars earlier that day defeated Weber State University 8-0.

Kelsey Garner was simply dominating in the win against Chadron State. The NJCAA all-American who set nearly all the pitching records a year ago, struck out 10 batters in 5 1/3 innings of work. In fact, Garner allowed just two base runners by hitting a batter in the fourth inning and then allowed a single in the bottom of the sixth, just before time limit was called.

But, while Garner was sensational in the circle, the Cougars young defense and explosive offense was scoring runs left and right. WNCC plated two runs in the first inning as Adena Hagen led things off with single and scored on a Casey Simpson double to right centerfield. Simpson came in to score on a Alyssa Hickey single.

WNCC added single runs in the second and fourth innings. In the second, Karleen Crone walked and came around to score on Hagen's single. In the fourth, Alex Voci walked and scored on Garner's single to left field for a 4-0 lead.

The Cougars put the game away in the fifth inning by plating three runs. Katie Groves started things by drawing a walk. Pinch runner Tonya Atencio later scored on a double by Hickey. WNCC added singles by Voci and Brittany Chacon in the inning for their seven runs.

Hickey paced the team with a 3-for-4 performance, including a double and a run scored. Hagen went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two walks, while Simpson finished with a double.

The Cougars were just as dominating in their final Classic game as Stephanie Townsend tossed a 2-hitter in getting the shutout against Wyoming. The freshman from Roosevelt, Utah, struck out five in the win.

WNCC pounded out 10 hits in the win. The Cougars got things started with two runs in the second inning. Hannah Strauss led off by drawing a walk and scored on a Jaclyn Bourdon single. Atencio later singled to score Chacon.

The Cougars went up 3-0 in teh fourth inning. Strauss led off by blasting a double in a stiff win that hit the top of the fence. Pinch runner Mandy Pounds later scored on a Bourdon single.

WNCC put the game away in the fifth inning by plating six runs on five hits and two walks. WNCC started off by loading the bases and then had two straight singles by Crone and Sofia Gomez. WNCC also got run-scoring singles by Bourdon and Atencio.

Bourdon paced the team with a 3-for-3 performance, including two runs scored and two RBIs. Atencio and Crone each had two hits as well. Atencio added two RBIs.