{Aril 25] The
Western Nebraska Community College baseball team scored the runs when they
needed in claiming an Empire Conference game over McCook Community College 7-4
Thursday afternoon at Cleveland Field.
The
win was much needed for the Cougars as they keep that hope alive for the final
playoff berth. The Cougars will now head to McCook for a four-game series this
weekend before wrapping up the regular season Monday at home against
Northeastern Junior College.
John
Timmins, who threw 6 2/3 strong innings before giving way to winning picture
Challis Wright, said the team played well and they needed this win for
confidence.
"I
thought we played really well. We kept the errors down which have been messing
us up a lot," the freshman from Bellevue said. "We had good defense
behind us [the pitchers] and we had guys come through with hits."
What
makes this win extremely pleasant is the team still has their eyes set on the
playoffs, and if they can go on a seven-game winning streak, it not only could
put them in the playoffs, but also make the team's season.
"This
is a good start to the weekend and we know what we have to do," Timmins
said. "Winning the last seven games would be really amazing. As a team we
are playing our best baseball. We are strong as a team. Getting these wins [to
end the season] will really help, especially for the sophomores that have put
in all the work."
The
Cougars won the game by responding with clutch hits throughout the contest.
WNCC finished the game with just 10 hits, but the 10 hits came at key times.
Zach
Ostergard led the way from the plate with a 3-for-4 day with two RBIs, a run
scored, and two stolen bases.
WNCC
also received two-hit performances from JT Core, Ozzy Gonzalez and Alex
Michaud. Gonzalez finished with triple and a RBI, while Michard had a RBI and
run scored.
McCook
jumped on the scoreboard first, scoring once in the first inning on three hits.
The Cougars, however, came right back and answered. Delgado led off with a
double and scored on a Gonzalez ground out to tie the game.
WNCC
went up 2-1 with a single run in the second as Michaud led off with a single
and scored on a Ostergard single. The lead stayed that way until the sixth when
Keeton Krause walked, stole second, moved to third on a passed ball, and
finally scoring on a Nick Vantillo ground out.
The
Indians charged back scoring twice in the seventh on just one hit with two outs
to tie the game at 3-3. Once again, WNCC immediately answered with a run in the
bottom of the seventh. Gonzalez started things with a one-out triple and scored
on a fielder's choice to shortstop to go back in front by a run.
The
Cougars put the game away in the eighth with three runs on four singles and a
fielding error to go up 7-3, even though McCook made a ninth inning rally.
Timmins said anytime a team can add late insurance runs, it makes the relief
pitcher's job much easier.
"It
is a relief to get the late runs because it makes the pitcher's job easier that
is coming in," he said. "You then know that if you happen to give
them a run or two, you still can seal the game up."
Wright
picked up the win, tossing just 1 1/3 innings in relief, scattering three hits
and striking out one. Timmins allowed seven hits and three runs in his work on
the mound. Timmons also struck out five. Cedric Desmedt tossed the ninth in
allowing two hits and one run.
McCook 100
000 201 -- 4 12 3
WNCC 110
001 13x -- 7 10 2
WP -- Challis Wright; 2B -- Anthony Delgado; 3B -- Ozzy
Gonzalez.
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