Softball team sweeps Garden City in DH on sophomore recognition day

               [April 28]  The 19th ranked Western Nebraska Community College softball team wrapped the regular season in fine fashion in claiming a doubleheader over Garden City Community College Sunday at Volunteer Field.

                Bianca Duran captured her 33rd pitching win of the season and set the record for most wins in a season as the Cougars captured the 9-2 win. The second game saw WNCC hit just one extra base hit, a game-ending 3-run home run by Shelby McGraw as the Cougars won 10-1.

                WNCC is now 52-8 on the season as they enter the Region IX tournament that begins Wednesday in McCook. The Cougars will open play at 7 p.m. MST against the winner of the Lamar and McCook game.

                WNCC coach Maria Winn Ratliff said it is nice to finish off the regular season on a winning streak and stay unbeaten at home during the regular season at 20-0.

                "It We wanted to win at home and we want to be playing well going into the regional tournament," she said. "I think our pitching has been tremendous in the last 12 or 13 games. I am super excited about that. I am also super excited to see other people stepping up offensively for us as of late."

                It is only the third time in school history the Cougars have reached 50 wins. WNCC is just three wins from finishing with the most wins in a season. The previous best was 54 back in 2008.

                "This season has exceeded my expectations to go 52-8 and being undefeated at home," Winn-Ratliff said. " But, obviously, our expectations is to win a region championship in conference and tournament and we have another couple of weeks to take care of business. It will not be easy going on the road to McCook, but we will do what we can to come home with some victories."

                The Cougars earned the four wins Saturday and Sunday against Garden City Community College. The Broncbusters are a salty team with some good pitching. WNCC, on the other hand, showcased its depth in collecting the two wins Saturday and then Sunday's two wins.

                The second game didn't start off well for the Cougars as they trailed 1-0 after the first inning. It was the second inning that changed the momentum as the Cougars scored seven runs on six hits -- all singles. Plus, the flurry of runs came with two outs.

                Danielle Hearn and Kayla Romey started the rally with back-to-back singles. Duran then singled to drive in the first run. From there, WNCC kept finding the open spot as Kasey Cash had a run-scoring single and Mariah Shepherd had a 2-run scoring single.

                The score stayed that way until the sixth when WNCC ended the game with three runs, once again with two outs. Madison Spencer started things after being hit by a pitch. Shepherd then singled and then McGraw took the third pitch and sent it over the left field fence for the 3-run home run.

                WNCC pounded out 11 hits in the contest. Romey led the way with a 3-for-3 game with a run scored and a stolen base. Shepherd and Angel Council each had two hits. Shepherd had two RBIs and two runs scored, while Council scored a run. McGraw finished the game with a home run and four RBIs.

                RaVae Herrera picked up the win, tossing four innings in allowing six hits, one run and striking out one. McGraw finished the game, tossing two innings, walking two and striking out two.

                The first game saw the Cougars pound out 10 hits, five of which were extra base hits. Shepherd and McGraw each had two hits. Shepherd had two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored, while McGraw had a triple, two RBIs and a run scored. Duran and Cash each had a double and RBI.

                WNCC plated two runs each in the second and third inning. In the second, McGraw led off with a triple and then Hearn scored two runs with a single.

                The Cougars went up 4-0 with two more runs in the third on just two hits. The big hit was a double by Shepherd that scored a run.

                Garden City cut the lead in half with two unearned runs in the fourth inning. But, WNCC immediately answered with five runs of their own in the fifth. Cash and Council each had run-scoring singles in the inning. Shepherd had a run-scoring double, and McGraw had a 2-run single for the 9-2 lead.

First Game

Garden City                        000 200 0 -- 2 3 3

WNCC                                   022 500 x -- 9 10 4

WP -- Bianca Duran; 2B -- Duran, Kasey Cash, Mariah Shepherd 2; 3B -- Shelby McGraw.

Second Game

Garden City                        100 000 -- 1 6 2

WNCC                                   070 003 -- 10 11 1

WP -- RaVae Herrera; HR -- McGraw.