March 12 -- WNCC baseball splits with Lamar

                [March 12] LAMAR, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team exploded for 18 hits and 10 runs in earning a second-game, 11-inning 10-8 win over Lamar Community College Sunday in a Empire Conference doubleheader.

                The Cougars were one out from recording a sweep over Lamar, but the Lopes scored two runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to record the 3-2 win in game one.

                The second game, however, was the story. Not only did the Cougars register the win, but former WESTCO Zephyr Eric Moreno was on the mound for the Lopes. And on the other side Moreno was pitching to his former WESTCO teammates Joe Moran and Ty Wilson.

                In the end, it was WNCC who came through with the win as Moran and David Martinez each collected four hits in the win. Moran was 4 of 6 with two runs scored and a RBI, while Martinez was 4 of 5 with two runs scored, two RBIs, a double, and a home run. Three other Cougars had two hits. Luis Sotomayor was 2 of 6, Cemeron Synder was 2 of 5 with two RBIs, a run scored and a triple, and Taylor Ericson was 2 of 5 with two RBIs, and a run scored.

                The big thing in the win was the Cougars' tenacity to keep scoring in picking up their first win of the year. The Cougars led Lamar 6-1 after getting single runs in the second and fourth inning before plating four in the fifth.

                The fourth was the big inning as Ericson walked and then Wilson singled. With one out, Moran delivered a run-scoring single. Diaz then doubled to score another run before Snyder tripled to score two.

                The lead to didn't last long as Lamar tied the game in the sixth with five runs. Both teams would score a single run in the seventh. WNCC scored theirs with two outs. Moran singled to lead off the inning and then Diaz reached on an error. Then, with two outs, Gabriel DeLa Rosa single to score the go-ahead run.

                After Lamar tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, neither team scored in the eighth or ninth innings. The Cougars finally went on top in the 10th as Martinez led off the inning with a solo home run.

                Lamar forced another inning after scoring the tying run on a dropped third strike.

                WNCC won the game in the 11th. With one out, Mason Cratty singled. DeLa Rosa reached on an error and then Martinez singled to load the bases with one out. Ericson came through with a two-run single for the game-winners.

                Kyle Shoutta picked up the win by throwing two innings in giving up one run, a hit, and striking out four. Mason Munford picked up a save, pitching the 11th in allowing just one hit and two strikeouts.

                Moreno, who started the game for Lamar, went nine innings in allowing 15 hits, eight runs, and striking out 12 Cougars.

                WNCC had plenty of opportunity to capture the first game as well. John Timmins had an outstanding mound appearance going all seven innings. Timmins tossed 6 2/3 strong innings, allowing eight hits, three runs, and striking out six.

                It was what happened with two outs in the seventh that cost the Cougars as Lamar got a double and triple with two outs to get the victory.

                Up until that time, however, WNCC was playing inspired ball. The Cougars took a 2-0 lead in the second. DeLa Rosa and Martinez led off the inning with back-to--back singles. Sotomayor then delivered a 2-out double to score both runs and the 2-0 lead.

                Lamar plated its run in the fourth on a lead-off home run. WNCC had a chance to added insurance runs in the seventh as Cody Gifford reached on an error and then Moran singled, but both runners were stranded.

                Lamar then won the game with the two runs.

                WNCC finished with seven hits in the contest with seven different Cougars getting at least one hit. Sotomayor had the only extra base hit with a double.

                WNCC (1-9-1) will next be in action Tuesday when they face South Mountain in Phoenix during the team's Spring Break trip.

First Game

WNCC                   020 000 0 -- 2 7 0

Lamar                    000 100 2 -- 3 8 0

LP -- John Timmins; 2B -- Luis Sotomayor.

Second Game

WNCC                   010 140 100 12 -- 10 18 3

Lamar                    000 105 100 10 -- 8 11 2

WP -- Kyle Shoutta, S -- Mason Munford; 2B -- David Martinez, Taylor Ericson, Dionisio Diaz; 3B -- Cameron Snyder; HR -- David Martinez