WNCC baseball team ties Barton on Saturday

                LA JUNTA, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team opened the season with a doubleheader against Barton Community College Saturday in La Junta, Colo.

                The Cougars fell in the first game 6-3 before the two teams had to settle for a 3-3 tie in game two because of darkness.

                In the opener, WNCC outhit Barton 8-7 but it was a 3-run third inning that helped Barton get the win.

                Both teams scored a single run in the second. WNCC's run came as Tyler Ericson scored on a Gabriel DeLa Rosa double.

                Barton then scored three times in the third before the Cougars scored a single run as Anthony Apodaca tripled and scored on a Cameron Snyder hit.

                WNCC got to within one, 4-3 in the sixth when Ty Wilson scored, but Barton plated two runs in the seventh for the final margin.

                John Timmins took the loss on the mound, going five innings in allowing six hits, four runs, and striking out five.

                Wilson and Luis Sotomayor each had two hits in the contest.

                The second game both teams got the offense going in the first inning, each scoring twice. For the Cougars, their two runs came as Joe Moran led off by being hit by a pitch. After a Snyder single, both would score off a David Martinez double.

                The score stayed that way until Barton scored once in the fourth. WNCC would tie the contest with a single run in the fifth. Cody Giffard tripled and scored on a Moran hit for the tying run.

                Neither team scored after that and Jones said that they decided to stop the game in a tie because of darkness.

                Jason Palser pitched five strong innings, allowing three runs and striking out five on seven hits.

                The Cougars managed four hits. Snyder led the way with a 2-for-3 game with a run scored.

                The two teams will be back in action Sunday for another doubleheader beginning at 12 noon.

Game One

Barton                  013 100 2 -- 6 7 0

WNCC                   011 001 0 -- 3 8 1

LP -- John Timmins; 2B -- Gabriel DeLa Rosa; 3B -- Anthony Apodaca.

Game Two

Barton                  200 100 -- 3 7 0

WNCC (0-1-1)    200 010 -- 3 4 1

T -- Jason Palser; 2B -- David Martinez; 3B -- Cody Gifford.