WNCC softball team splits at Trinidad State

                [March 16, 2013] TRINIDAD, Colo. -- The 13th Western Nebraska Community College softball team couldn't get a sweep over the Trojans as the two Region IX squads split a conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon in Trinidad, Colo.

                In the opener, Bianca Duran scattered five hits and struck out six in helping the Cougars to a 3-2 win. The second game belonged to the Trojans, who pounded out 12 hits in the 8-run-ruled shortened game 11-3.

                The first game was dramatic down to the final pitch. WNCC opened the scoring with a single run in the first as Kayla Romey singled and game around to score after a single by Duran.

                The lead stayed that way until the fourth when WNCC plated three more runs for a 3-0 lead. WNCC scored their runs on just one hit as the Cougars loaded the bases on two walks and a hit-batsman. Romey then singled to leftfield to score two runs.

                Trinidad came back to cut the lead to 3-2 with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

                WNCC had just six hits in the contest, all singles. Romey paced the team with a 2-for-4 contest with two RBIs and a run scored. The Gering High School graduate also had a stolen base.

                The second game saw both teams combine for 20 hits, but it was a Trinidad five-run fourth inning that opened up the contest.

                The Cougars started strong as Romey doubled and scored on a Duran single. The lead, however, didn't last long as Caiden Yocham sent Ravae Herrera's third pitch of the game over the fence to tie the game.

                Trinidad would push the lead to 8-1 with a two runs in the third, including Yocham's second home run of the game. Trinidad than plated five in the fourth inning, including home runs by Laura Trehal and Melissa Pigott.

                The Cougars made a slight comeback in the fifth with two runs. Romey started things with a one-out single fouled by a double by Angel Council. Duran drove a hard grounder down the left side that scored both runners to cut the lead to 8-3.

                Trinidad finished off the game with two runs in the fifth and a single run in the sixth for the win.

                WNCC had four players finish with multiple hits. Romey, Angel Council, Duran, and Shelby McGraw all had two hits. Romey scored two runs, while Duran had two RBIs.

                Herrera took the loss in the circle, going 5 2/3 innings while allowing 11 runs on 12 hits, while striking out eight. Herrera allowed four home runs to the Trojans.

                WNCC (22-5, 6-2 conference) will next be in action Sunday when they travel to Las Vegas, N.M. to face Luna Community College.

First Game

WNCC                   100 200 0 -- 3 6 1

Trinidad                000 110 0 -- 2 5 2

WP -- Bianca Duran

Second Game

WNCC                   100 020 -- 3 8 4

Trinidad                102 521 -- 11 12 0

LP -- Ravae Herrera; 2B -- Kayla Romey, Angel Council, Shelby McGraw.