Submitted by Jeremy Woznick, Star-Herald Sports Reporter
TRINIDAD, Colo. — In the Region IX and Empire Conference opener for both teams, Trinidad State Junior College edged Western Nebraska Community College 5-4 in baseball action Saturday afternoon in Trinidad, Colo.
The loss dropped WNCC to 5-7 on the season. Of the Cougars’ seven losses, six have now been by just one run.
“It was a tight ball game,” WNCC coach Mike Jones said. “Being the conference opener, there was a lot of intensity on both teams. We did some good things and we also made some mistakes that cost us. We’re still improving and getting better.”
Jones said he hopes the close games start turning in the Cougars’ favor soon.
“It’s starting to get a little frustrating,” Jones said. “It’s nice to be in tight ball games because you’re right there with a chance to win. But at the same time, it would be nice to start winning some of them.”
The teams were scheduled to play a doubleheader. However, because of an overnight storm, the field was blanketed in snow that forced a late start.
The Cougars and Trojans will play a doubleheader today. The first game will be a conference game and the second will be the non-conference variety. Carlos Palomo will get the pitching start in game one and Carlos Luzon will pitch game two.
In Saturday’s contest, WNCC plated three runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 4-3 lead. However, the Trojans evened things at 4-4 in the bottom of the frame before getting a home run in the bottom of the sixth to go in front for good.
WNCC finished with seven hits, while Trinidad State had 10.
Nelson Quintero led the Cougars at the plate by going 3-for-4. Kevin Sanford finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run batted in. Also collecting hits for WNCC were Reimier Alambarry and Rainer Tiel. Tiel drove in one. Camilo Baldelomar and Trevor Kreisel both had a stolen base.
Tim Beard was credited with a no decision after starting the game on the mound. Beard allowed two earned runs on eight hits and struck out three in four innings of work. John Bravard and Terry McNabb both pitched an inning each out of the bullpen. McNabb struck out two and earned the loss.
“The pitching today was a little shaky,” Jones said. “We didn’t throw enough strikes and we didn’t attack their hitters like we should. Offensively, we had some guys on base with nobody out and we weren’t able to manufacture any runs out of it. Those are things we have to improve on.”
WNCC (5-7) 001 300 0 — 4 7 0
Trinidad 201 202 x — 5 10 3
LP — Terry McNabb.
2B — Kevin Sanford.
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