WNCC basebal drops two to Northeastern Junior College

               STERLING, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College showed some offense, but league-leading Northeastern Junior College showed a tad more offensive power in sweeping a doubleheader from the Cougars Saturday at Sterling, Colo.

               The Plainsmen scored 12 early runs and then held off a late Cougar rally to prevail 17-9 in the first game. NJC then used a clutch 3-run home run to take the second game 6-4.

               The Cougars have now lost 10 straight. More importantly, WNCC fell to fifth in the Empire Conference standings behind fourth-place Trinidad State Junior College. The top four teams qualify for the regional playoffs.

               WNCC had opportunities to capture the second game. In fact, WNCC got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the second. Benly Ramos led off with a single followed by Oscar Familia hitting a line-drive double. Zach Ostergard then game up with a big 2-out double to score both runs.

               The lead didn't last long as NJC scored three in the third to go ahead 3-2. NJC scored their runs on four hits, including plating two runs with outs.

               WNCC got right back in the contest in the fourth as Ramos launched a solo home run to left field to tie the game. The lead was short-lived as NJC scored three in the bottom of the frame on a 3-run home run for a 6-3 lead.

               The Cougars had a last ditch effort to come back to either tie or go ahead in the seventh. Josh Bride started things by reaching base on a 2-out error. Ostergard followed with a single and then Jake Vore was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Max Brennen was then hit by a pitch to force in a run, but the Cougars left the bases juiced to end the game.

               The Cougars showed some offense, despite only getting five hits. Ostergard led the way with a 2-for-3 game, including a double and two RBIs. Ramos also finished with a 2-for-3 game with two runs scored, a home run and a RBI. The other hit was an Oscar Familia double.

               Nick Hernandez suffered the loss despite pitching well. The freshman went six innings in allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out four.

               The opening game saw the Cougars outhit the Plainsmen 15-13. The difference in the contest was NJC scored 12 runs in the first two innings. WNCC, on the other hand, did all of its scoring in the first three innings, scoring twice in the first and second, and plating five in the third.

               WNCC scored two in the first on four hits. Nick Vanthillo and Oscar Familia each had run-scoring singles and WNCC had opportunities to score more, but left two runners in scoring position.

               NJC came back with six in the first on three hits and three errors. WNCC came cut the lead to 6-4 in the top of the second with two runs on two hits.

               NJC added to the lead with six runs in the second on four hits and two errors for a 12-4 lead.

               The Cougars made a furious comeback in the third, scoring five times on six hits, The big hit was a 3-run home run by Brennen. Familia also had a run-scoring double to cut the lead to 12-9.

               The Plainsmen settled down the rest of the way, shutting out the Cougars while adding four late runs to seal the win.

               Brennen paced the Cougars with a 3-for-5 contest with four RBIs, two runs scored, a home run. Also notching three hits was Ostergard, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Pep Gonzalez, Nick Vanthillo, Familia and Tyler Weins all collected two hit each. Familia and Vanthillo each had two RBIs, while Gonzalez and Familia each had a double.

               GianFranco Bernal suffered the loss, going just a third of an inning in allowing five runs on four hits. Tre Meyer tossed one inning in giving up five runs on four hits, including a home run. Brett McPhail finished off the game going 4 2/3 innings in allowing five hits, six runs and walking three.

               WNCC will be back in action Tuesday when they travel to Colby Community College before taking on McCook Community College on Wednesday in McCook. The Cougars return home this weekend for a four-game conference series with Otero Junior College at Cleveland Field.

Game 1

WNCC                  225 000 0 -- 9 15 1

NJC                       661 022 x -- 17 13 1

LP -- Gianfranco Bernal; 2B -- Pep Gonzalez, Oscar Familia; HR -- Max Brennen.

Game 2

WNCC (11-27)                   020 100 1 -- 4 5 2

NJC (31-13)                        003 300 x -- 6 8 1

LP -- Nick Hernandez; 2B -- Oscar Familia, Zach Ostergard; HR -- Benly Ramos.