WNCC baseb all drops doubleheader to Trinidad State

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team’s offense was duplicating the weather, cold, Saturday afternoon at Cleveland Field against Trinidad State Junior College in dropping a doubleheader to the Trojans 6-0 and 5-2.

The Cougars managed just two runs in the two games and never could string enough hits together to get a rally going, even though they had plenty of opportunities. The Cougars left six runners stranded in scoring position in the two games.

WNCC, 7-8, will look to put these two Empire Conference games behind them as they get set to host McCook Community College Sunday and Monday in doubleheaders. Sunday’s contests start at 2 p.m. while Monday’s games begin at 1 p.m.

In the opener, the Cougars managed five hits, but left seven runners stranded in getting the loss. Trinidad State, on the other hand, had their entire run scoring from their No. 1 and 2 batters, Chris Redding and Chris Gallagos, who each scored three runs.

Greg Crowe took the loss on the mound, striking out six and scattering eight hits.

Game two was a little better for the Cougars. They did, however, give up three early runs on six free passes and just one hit. Then, WNCC starting pitcher Jeff Fauss settled down and took control of the game.

WNCC, though, couldn’t get the timely hits, scoring one run each in the third and sixth inning. In the third, Rudy Soto led off with a single followed by a double by Crowe. David Monteagudo then scored Soto with the team’s first run of the day.

In the sixth, trailing 3-1, the Cougars mounted a comeback as Alex Mueller singled to start the inning. Mueller was then lifted for pinch-runner Zach Gillis. Monteagudo then was then walked to put two runners aboard.

Trinidad followed with a double play and it looked as if the Trojan defense was going to get out of the inning. But Rich Miller followed with a 2-out single to slice the lead to 3-2 entering the seventh inning.

In the seventh, Trinidad added two more runs with two outs to push the lead to 5-2. WNCC tried coming back, as Soto smashed a 2-out double before Trinidad’s rightfielder made game-ending Golden Glove play to end the game.

Fauss took the loss on the mound, going six innings and scattering three hits. He did walk four and hit three batters.

Soto led the Cougars from the plate with a 2-for-3 performance including a run scored and a double. Monteagudo also went 1-for-1 with a single, two walks and a RBI.

Game One
Trinidad 102 010 2 – 6 8 1
WNCC 000 000 0 – 0 5 1
WP –Sean Woolers, LP – Greg Crowe.

Game Two
Trinidad 210 000 2 – 5 3 0
WNCC 001 001 0 – 2 5 2
WP – Chris Wilson; LP Jeff Fauss; 2B – Rudy Soto, Greg Crowe.