WNCC, McCook split doubleheaders

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team had flashes of greatness Sunday in their doubleheader against McCook Community College. But as much as they looked great at times, they also were just opposite in splitting a twinbill with the Indians, winning the first game 4-3 in dramatic fashion before suffering a 10-2 setback in game two.

The Cougars started game one with a ball of fire, running to a 3-0 lead in the opening inning, and they did the offensive explosion with two outs. Rich Miller started the offensive blast with a double followed by singles by Carlos Garcia and Aurello Monteagudo. After a walk by Chris Hook, Rudy Soto unloaded a 2-run scoring single to put the score at 3-0.

WNCC continued to put runners on base in the second through sixth innings, but left five runners stranded in prime scoring position. In the meantime, McCook managed single runs in the second, third and fifth inning to tie the game.

WNCC rounded with a dramatic seventh inning. Miller led off with a double. He then was lifted for pinch-runner Zach Gillis. Garcia was then walked, and after a infield fly out, Chris Hook was plunked by a pitch to load the bases. Soto then came through once again with his third single of the game to score Gillis with the winning run.

Todd Stachura picked up the win on the mound, going all seven innings. He struck out just two, but scattered five hits, including shutting down the final six batters for the win.

Sodt led the team with a 3-for-3 game, including three RBIs and a walk. Miller went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.

As much momentum the Cougars enjoyed after game one, it was quickly extinguished in game two. The Indians came out and scored four times in the opening inning on seven hits, and the run all started with a leadoff error.

WNCC, however, bounced back scoring two of its own in the bottom of the inning. Norbert Susini walked followed by a double by Hook. Both runners scored on sacrifice flies to slice the lead in half 4-2.

McCook came back and scored twice in the second and four more times in the fifth to go up 10-2. WNCC had just one prime scoring chance in the third inning. After Hook and Miller reached base, Garcia lofted a deep fly ball that had eyes of seeing green. But McCook’s Rightfielder made a leaping catch and doubled off the runner at second for stop the threat.

Kyle Edgehouse took the loss on the mound, giving up six runs, nine hits and striking out four.

WNCC had just four hits, all by different hitters.

Both teams will return to action Monday for another doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Cleveland Field.

First Game
McCook 011 010 0 - 3 5 0
WNCC 300 000 1 - 4 10 1
WP -- Todd Stachura. LP -- Jake Wood. 2B -- Norbert Susini, Rich Miller 2.

Second Game
McCook 420 040 0 - 10 13 1
WNCC 200 000 0 - 2 4 3
WP- Jason Sanchez. LP- Kyler Edgehouse.