Baseball team falls to Otero in a 9-inning game

                LA JUNTA, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team gave up six seventh-inning runs in falling to Otero Junior College in a non-conference game on Monday 7-4.

                The loss comes on the heels of the Cougars being shut out on Sunday against Barton Community College 10-0 and 4-0.

                WNCC controlled Monday's game with Otero Junior College early. After falling behind 1-0, the Cougars went up 3-1 with two runs in the fourth and a single run in the fifth. The fourth inning saw JT Core rip a triple to score Cameron Snyder. The next batter, Dionisio Diaz scored for the 2-1 lead.

                The Cougars loaded the bases on the firth behind back-to-back singles by Ty Wilson and Luis Sotomayor. After a walk to Andy Padron to load the bases, Snyder grounded out that scored wilson with the go-ahead run.

                It didn't last as Otero scored six times in the seventh on two outs, and the Rattlers did it on two singles and a home run by Anthony Boyle for a 7-3 lead.

                The Cougars managed eight hits in the contest with eight different players getting a hit. Snyder and Taylor Erickson each had doubles in the contest.

                Snyder took the loss on the mound, going just one inning in allowing five hits, six runs and two walks. Gabriel DeLa Rosa started and went six innings in allowing a run and two hits with two strike outs, while Mason Munford went an inning giving up one hit.

                Sunday's contest didn't have much offense for the Cougars. In the opener, Barton no-hit the Cougars while in the second WNCC managed five hits with Taylor Erickson the big hitter with a triple.

                WNCC will next be in action this weekend in conference games against Northeastern Junior College. The Cougars will visit NJC on Saturday before the Plainsmen visit Cleveland Field on Sunday.

Monday's Game

WNCC                   000 210 001 -- 4 8 1

Otero                    010 000 60x -- 7 8 4

LP -- Cameron Snyder; 2B -- Snyder, Ericson.

Sunday's Games

First Game

WNCC                   000 00 -- 0 0 2

Barton                  406 0x -- 10 8 0

LP -- Felis Ojeda-Sanchez.

Second Game

WNCC                   000 000 0 -- 0 5 0

Barton                  202 000 x -- 4 7 0

LP -- Dylan Michaels; 3B -- Taylor Ericson.