March 9 -- WNCC softball picks up two wins over NJC

                [March 9] STERLING, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball team picked up two shutout wins over Northeastern Junior College Wednesday in Sterling, Colo.

                In the opener, Shelby McGraw tossed six complete in innings in posting the 9-0 win. The second game saw the Cougars pound out xx hits in claiming the 17-0 win. Both games were conference contests, pushing the team to 13-7 overall.

                In the opener, the Cougars led 2-0 early and then put the Plainswomen away late with a three run fifth and a six runs in the sixth for the win. McGraw struck out five and scattered five hits in the win.

                Offensively, the Cougars finished with 10 hits with just one extra base hit, which was a double by Hannah Gonzales. Gonzales, McGraw, Courtney Cloud, and Jessica Ball each had two hits each. McGraw finished with three RBIs, while Angel Council had two RBIs.

                In the second contest, Madison Davis and Jordan Smith combined on a four-hitter. Davis picked up the win in the circle, going three innings in allowing four hits and striking out one. Smith tossed two innings in striking out four and walking two.

                Offensively, the Cougars ripped the ball for 22 hits, including seven extra-base hits. Eight Cougars had multiple hits in the win. Cloud paced the Cougars with a 4-for-5 game with two RBIs, and two runs scored. Kelsey Bernhardt, Ball, McGraw, and Council each had three hits. Bernhardt had three runs scored, two doubles, and two stolen bases, while Ball had three RBIs, three runs scored, and a home run. Council had three singles and two RBIs. McGraw had two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored.

                Getting two hits were were LIndsay Guymon, Gonzales and Emily Rust. Guymon had four RBIs, two runs scored and a home run, while Rust had a double and two RBIs.

                WNCC will be back in action Sunday and Monday when they host Dawson Community College in doubleheaders at Volunteer Field. Sunday's games are slated for 1 and 3 p.m.

First Game

WNCC                   020 034 -- 9 10 0

NE Colorado       000 000 -- 0 8 2

WP -- Shelby McGraw, 2B -- Hannah Gonzales.

Second Game

WNCC                   344 33 -- 17 22 0

NE Colorado       000 00 -- 0 4 0

WP -- Madison Davis; 2B -- Kelsey Bernhardt 2, Shelby McGraw 2, Emily Rust; HR -- Jessica Ball, Lindsay Guymon.