WNCC, Trinidad split games Saturday

Western Nebraska Community College's Richie Stewart didn't want to lose twice to Trinidad State Junior College Saturday at Cleveland Field.

After the Cougars dropped their first game 8-2, Stewart responded with a 3-for-3 performance, which included the game-winning hit in the sixth inning for the 5-4 win. Stewart also scored two runs in the nightcap.

"We got some really good clutch hits. Richie Stewart has been a guy for us all season long and he got one today with two outs," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "Offensively, we have been able to do that most of the season and come up with some big hits when we needed to."

WNCC still sits atop the Empire Conference standings with a 2-game lead over Lamar. WNCC is 10-4 in regional play after the split on Saturday. Lamar and Northeastern Junior College split a doubleheader Sunday as NJC won the first game 2-0 before Lamar won the second 2-0. WNCC and Trinidad will be back at Cleveland Field today at noon for another doubleheader.

"It's two more big games and the pressure isn't going to let up," Jones said. "We have to get some good pitching. [Greg] Crowe and [Todd] Stachura have been good for us throughout the season and I hope to see that Sunday. It will be important for us to come out and shut their offense down for a while and allow us to score some runs early."

The Cougars played better in game two compared to the opener, where they managed seven hits and left several runners in scoring position. In the second game WNCC also had seven hits, but took advantage of five Trinidad State walks for the win.

WNCC had a 2-1 lead after one inning before Trinidad forged ahead 3-2 after two. The Cougars knotted things up after Stewart hit a one-out single. A walk followed Stewart's single and Gilbert Gonzalez's single loaded the basesa. Chris Hook then came through with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

It stayed that way until the fifth when WNCC struck for a single run. Stewart started things again with a single and then scored from third after a pick-off play to second base sailed to centerfield to take a 4-3 lead.

Trinidad came back with one run in the sixth to tie the game but the Cougars came answered by manufacturing the winning run. JC Perez led off by drawing a walk. Perez stole second and then Travis Lindhorst laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Perez to third.

With two outs, Stewart came through with a shot up the middle to score Perez with the winning run.

Dan Bauer pitched the seventh inning, striking out two and walking one to get the save.
Eric Bissonette, who pitched the sixth inning, picked up the win in relief of Jeff McDonald.
Stewart led the Cougars from the plate with three hits. Gonzalez also finished with multiple hits, getting two singles and an RBI.

WNCC couldn't get anything going in game one as Trinidad pitcher Shawn Burnette pitched a gem, allowing just one run and six hits in six innings of work. Burnette struck out three Cougar batters.

"Burnette pitched a real good ball game," Jones said. "He mixed it up and was throwing back-to-back change-ups against us and was throwing some off-speed stuff on us. He wouldn't let us settle in and find a good pitch to hit."

The Cougars' Phillips Orta took the loss but pitched well for four innings. He struck out five and allowed two hits and one run, but it was the fifth inning that did Orta in as he allowed three runs on two hits. He also walked three and hit one batter in the inning.

Trinidad added another four runs in the sixth inning on five straight hits to take an 8-1 lead.
Perez paced the Cougars from the plate with a 3-for-3 performance including a double. Also collecting hits for WNCC were Martinez, Lindhorst, and Pedro Suarez.

Game One
Trinidad 000 134 0 - 8 10 0
WNCC 000 010 1 - 2 7 0
WP - Burnette, LP - Orta; 2B - WNCC (Perez), Trinidad (Cody Henry, Christopher Solarek).

Game Two
Trinidad 120 001 0 - 4 5 2
WNCC (17-16) 201 011 x - 5 7 0
WP - Bissonette, LP - Mario Mattivi; 2B - Trinidad (Tyler Zonella).