WNCC softball team finish Triple Crown tourney 2-2-1

For more photos of the softball team at the Triple Crown Classic on Sunday, visit the Cougar Athletic Photo Album at wncccougars.albumpost.com

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team wrapped up its fall season with a nice showing at the Triple Crown Fall College Classic on Sunday.

The Cougars, after going 1-2 on Saturday, finished the tournament Sunday by downing Metro State University 7-4 before tying Regis University 5-5. The Cougars finished the fall season 10-7-1. WNCC was the only junior college team at the 9-team tournament.

Against Metro State, who is coached by former Otero Junior College Jen Fisher, the Cougars used the long ball in defeating Metro State. Metro State led 2-1 heading into the fourth when the Cougars offense shined.

Amanda Torimaru started the power with a 2-run shot over left centerfield to put WNCC up 3-2. Later, after singled by Lauren Bourdon and Mandy Pound, freshman Allie Griffin blasted a shot over the centerfield fence for a 3-run dinger to put WNCC up 6-2.

Metro answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, slicing the lead to 6-4. WNCC came back and added an insurance run in the fifth. Jessie McNabb was hit by a pitch and scored on a Torimaru sacrifice fly to right field.

Natasha Dypchey picked up the win in the circle striking out seven and scattering seven hits. The sophomore from British Columbia, Canada, walked just one batter.

WNCC pounded out 12 hits to Metro’s 8. Griffin paced the Cougars with a 2-for-3 performance, including a home run, double, three RBIs and a run scored. Also collecting multiple hits was Alec Voci with a 2-for-4 day performance with a double.

In the Regis contest, WNCC left the bases loaded in the first three innings and had to settle for the 5-5 tie, even though they should have picked up the win. Still, the Cougars offensive attack was strong, pounding out 15 hits.

WNCC scored all their runs in the middle innings, adding two runs in the third and three runs in the fourth. McNabb and Amanda Hensley led off the third with singles. Both runners cored on singles by Torimaru and Lauren Bourdon to put WNCC up 2-1.

WNCC went up 5-1 with a 3-spot in the fourth inning. Lauryn Smith led off with a sharp-hit double down the rightfield line. She later scored on a 2-out double by Kara Ryman, after fouling off 10 balls. Torimaru plated the last two runs on a hit error by the first baseman for the 5-1 lead.

Regis came back with single runs in the fifth and sixth, and then tied the game in the seventh. WNCC, though, was primed to pick up the win, but Regis scored two runs with two outs to earn the tie.

Still, freshman Kelsey Garner pitched well scattering 10 hits, striking out three.

WNCC had several players register multiple hits. Smith finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored and double; Voci was 2-for-4; McNabb was 2-for-3 with a run scored; Hensley was 2-for-3 with two runs scored; Kara Ryman was 2-for-3 with a double, run scored and an RBI; Bourdon was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI; and Torimaru finished with three RBIs.

Game One
WNCC 100 510 – 7 12 2
Metro State 020 200 – 4 8 0
WP – Dypchey; 2B – Voci, Griffin; HR – Torimari, Griffin.

Game Two
WNCC 002 300 0 – 7 15 1
Regis U. 100 011 2 – 7 11 1
WP – Garner; 2B – Smith, Ryman, Bourdon.