WNCC softball sweeps Otero

Ashton Hughes

   LA JUNTA, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team pounded out 25 hits and received a sterling pitching performance from Ashton Hughes in claiming a conference doubleheader over Otero Junior College Saturday afternoon.
                Hughes tossed a 3-hitter and struck out nine Rattler batters in leading WNCC to a 9-1 game one victory. The second game saw the Cougars outhit Otero 15-12 in registering the 12-8 win. The win pushed the Cougars Region IX record to 3-1 on their season record to 13-6.
                WNCC took control of the opening contest from the get-go, plating six runs in the opening inning on just two hits. The big hit in the inning came from the bat of Jocelyn Stubbs, who ripped a 2-run double to help the Cougars to the 6-0 lead.
                Jacqui Cappuccilli added an insurance in the second inning in hitting her seventh home run of the season with a solo shot for the 7-0 lead.
                That was all the runs the Cougars needed as Hughes was simply marvelous in the circle. The right-handed flamethrower struck out nine Otero batters in seven innings. Her only hiccup on the night was a single run she allowed in the third inning.
                WNCC ripped out 10 hits overall in the contest. Cappuccilli led the way with a 2-for-4 contest, including three runs scored and a home run. Mariah Faifer finished the game with two hits as well. Stubbs and Jordan Schoepflin each had a hit and two RBIs in the win.
                WNCC controlled the second game early as well, bolting to an 8-0 lead after two innings. The Cougars plated three runs in the first and five in the second. WNCC added single runs in the third, fourth, sixth and seventh innings. Stubbs had the big hit of the game, ripping her seventh home run of the season with a solo shot in the fourth inning.
                Offensively, the Cougar bats were sizzling, ripping out 15 hits including four extra base hits.
                Cappuccilli led the way with a 3-hit attack, including three runs scored and a double. Hughes, Schoepflin, Megan Bourdon, Amanda Jones, and Sarah Hawryluk each finished with two hits each.
                Schoepflin finished with three RBIs and a double, while Jones had two RBIs. Bree Bitton, had a good came as well, going 1-for-2 with a double and three RBIs.
                Amanda Jones picked up the win, going six innings and allowing 12 hits. Jones struck out four and walked two. Hughes finished the contest in striking out two and allowing just one hit in her inning of work.
                WNCC will be back in action Sunday when they face Colby Community College in a doubleheader in Colby, Kan. Games are slated for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (CST).

First Game
WNCC                   610 000 2 – 9 10 2
Otero                    001 000 0 – 1 3 4
WP – Ashton Hughes; 2B – Jocelyn Stubbs; HR – Jacqui Cappuccilli.

Second Game
WNCC (13-6)      351 101 1 – 12 15 2
Oteor (9-13)       003 011 3 – 8 12 4
WP – Amanda Jones; 2B – Cappuccilli, Bree Bitton, Jordan Schoepflin; HR – Stubbs.