Softball team splits with Otero

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team split a conference doubleheader with Otero Junior College on Thursday in La Junta, Colo., on Thursday.

In the first game, the Cougars got three RBIs from Danielle Hearn to capture a 5-2 win. In the second game, the Cougars were unable to get the bats going in dropping a 5-0 contest.

In the first game, WNCC pounded out nine hits, including three doubles. Bianca Duran, who also picked up the pitching win in the circle had two doubles. Mariah Shepherd also had a double with two runs scored.

Hearn had the big offensive output, finishing with three RBIs in a 3-for-3 performance.

WNCC grabbed a 3-0 lead after scoring a single run in the second and two in the fourth. Otero sliced the lead to 3-2 after five. WNCC added two insurance runs in the seventh as Hailee Mecham scored on a Duran double and then Duran scored on a Jennifer Cottle single.

Duran went the distance in the circle, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out five.

In the second game, the Cougars managed just three hits, singles from Cottle and Shepherd and a double from Duran.

WNCC committed four errors in the contest and gave up seven hits.

Shelby McGraw took the loss in the circle, giving up five runs on seven hits. McGraw tallied four strikeouts.

WNCC, 17-4), will next be in action Wednesday when they host McCook Community College at Volunteer Field in a conference doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

First Game

WNCC                   010 200 2 – 5 9 2

Otero                    000 020 0 – 2 6 1

WP – Bianca Duran; 2B – Duran 2, Mariah Shepherd.

Second Game

WNCC                   000 000 0 – 0 2 4

Otero                    013 010 x – 5 7 0

LP – Shelby McGraw; 2B – Duran.