WNCC baseball splits doubleheader with Barton

Carlos Palomo

Submitted by Jeremy Woznick, Star-Herald Sports Reporter

GREAT BEND, Kan. — Another gem of a start by sophomore pitcher Carlos Palomo helped the Western Nebraska Community College baseball team salvage a doubleheader split against Barton Community College on Saturday in Great Bend, Kan.

Palomo allowed just one run on three hits in five solid innings of work in the Cougars’ 3-1 second-game win. He struck out three and was replaced on the mound by Terry McNabb, who worked the final two innings to collect the save. McNabb struck out two and allowed just one hit.

Palomo, a Gering High School graduate, has now allowed just one run in 10 innings this season.

“He was outstanding,” WNCC coach Mike Jones said of Palomo. “He really pitched well and he helped us bounce back with a win in that second game. He’s had two really good starts for us this season. It’s very encouraging.”

WNCC dropped the opening game of the twin bill by a score of 8-3.

The Cougars posted wins in two of the three games of the two-day series.

“I thought we played well for the most part,” Jones said of the series. “The first game today [Saturday] was tough for us because we didn’t get the pitching we’ve been getting. Then when we fell behind, it was tough to come back. But that’s going to happen early in the season. I was glad to see us bounce back and get a win in the second game. All in all, it was a good weekend for us. We were able to get two wins against a good, quality ball club like Barton.”

In Saturday’s win, WNCC plated one run in the first on a double steal. The Cougars then added two more runs in the fifth. The highlight of the inning was a run-scoring single off the bat of Camilo Baldelomar.

In game one, WNCC fell behind 4-0 after the first inning. The Cougars closed within 4-3 in the top of the third before Barton plated four more runs in the bottom of the frame to pull away.

WNCC totaled five hits in the game. Reimier Alambarry went 2-for-3 to lead the Cougars at the plate. Jake Vore scored two runs. Baldelomar had a stolen base.

Tim Beard took the loss on the mound. He allowed four earned runs on four hits in three innings of work. Jacob Stutzman pitched three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He allowed just three hits and struck out five.

WNCC, now 3-3 on the season, will be back in action on Wednesday against the Colorado State University club team. First pitch of the nine-inning game is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Cleveland Field in Scottsbluff.