LAMAR, Colo. -- It's official, the WNCC baseball team can call themselves Region IX champs after taking care of Trinidad State Junior College in two games on Sunday in the Region IX tournament in Lamar, Col0.The Cougars earned the title by defeating Trinidad 11-3 and 14-9. It is the first Regional Championship for WNCC coach Mike Jones and the first for Cougar baseball since the program was started in 2001.
"It is a great feeling. I am extremely proud of these guys," Jones said. "They are an excellent group of people. it shows they care so much and there is no give up in them. I am very proud of them."
WNCC opened the day by beating the Trojans 11-3 behind the pitching of Eneldas Vasquez, who threw eight strong innings. The Cougars held a 7-0 lead after five innings.
That win pushed the Cougars into the if necessary game and they survived with a strong contest against the Trojans. WNCC led 7-3 after three innings before Trinidad sliced the lead to 1 at 10-9 after seven innings. The Cougars then scored four runs in the final innings for the win.
Chris Cuadra picked up the win. while Phillips Orta pitched the eighth and ninth innings to collect the save. The Cougars pounded out 17 hits in the second game.
For the day, the Cougars had four home runs. Pedro Suarez had two, while JC Perez and Marco Moreno each had one.
WNCC will now host the NJCAA District playoffs this week, Thursday through Saturday. Besides WNCC, Central Arizona College and Western Nevada Community College will make their way to Scottsbluff. Western Nebraska will enter with a 29-27 record, while the other WNCC team, Western Nevada, comes in with a 36-22-2 record. Central Arizona will venture to Cleveland Field with a 42-19 mark. Full bracket and times will be announced next week.
Here is a full recap of WNCC's scores in the Regional Tournament
Thursday
WNCC 4, Otero Junior College 3
Friday
Trinidad State 2, WNCC 1
WNCC 9, Lamar C.C. 6
Saturday
WNCC 4, McCook 2
WNCC 11, Northeastern Colorado 6
Sunday
WNCC 11, Trinidad State 3
WNCC 14, Trinidad State 9
