Baseball falls twice to Trinidad State

                TRINIDAD, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team dropped an Empire Conference doubleheader Saturday to Trinidad State Junior College.

                Trinidad pitcher Ben Williams and Erik Bussey combined on a one-hitter in leading the Trojans to a 5-0 win in game one. The second game saw the Cougars outhit Trinidad 5-4, but it wasn't good enough as Trinidad registered the 5-1 win.

                The first game was all Trinidad pitchers as WNCC managed just four baserunners. Nick Vanthillo had the only hit, a second-inning single.

                Trinidad, on the other hand, Trinidad State pounded out nine hits. Trinidad scored once in the first and then added three in the third and single run in the fourth.

                John Timmins picked up the loss for the Cougars, going four innings in allowing five runs on eight hits. Timmins walked two and struck out one.

                The second contest was a battle between the two Region IX teams. WNCC opened the scoring by scoring in the top of the first at JT Core tripled and scored on an error off the bat of Cameron Snyder for the 1-0 lead.

                The lead didn't hold up as the Trojans scored twice in the first two hits. The game stayed that way until the fifth with Trinidad added three more runs for a 5-1 lead.

                The Cougars had an opportunity to get back in the game in the sixth inning where they loaded the bases on three straight singles by Core, Snyder, and Ozzie Gonzalez. The Cougars couldn't get the runners in as Trinidad pitcher Zac Wittmus struck out the final two outs to stop the rally.

                Wittmus picked up the win for the Trojans, going six innings in allowing just one run on five hits. Wittmus struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

                Jason Palser pitched well for the Cougars in striking out seven and allowing four hits. Palser went 4 1/3 innings, walking three and fiving up five runs. Kyle Shoutta finished off the game by striking out three and not allowing a hit.

                Core led the team with a 3-for-3 game with a run scored and a triple.

                With the two wins, Trinidad State goes to 12-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play. WNCC slips to 3-10 and 0-2 in conference. The two squads will back on the diamond Sunday with another conference doubleheader.

First Game

WNCC                   000 000 0 -- 0 1 0

Trinidad               103 100 x -- 5 9 2

LP -- John Timmins.

Second Game

WNCC (3-10)                      100 000 0 -- 1 5 2

Trinidad (12-4)                  200 030 x -- 5 4 1

LP -- Jason Palser; 3B JT Core.