Story by Jeremy Wosnick, Star-Herald Sports Writer
Mark Rein supplied the game information from Black Hills State
For Photos of the game, go to wncccougars.albumpost.com
SPEARFISH, S.D. - A 10-day layoff from game competition did little to cool off the Western Nebraska Community College softball team.
Seeing action for the first time since March 2, the Cougars exploded for 33 runs on 20 hits in registering a commanding doubleheader sweep over Black Hills State University Wednesday in Spearfish, S.D.
WNCC benefited from an eight-run fifth inning in an 18-9 win in game one before cruising to a 15-3 win in game two.
"The bats really woke up and we were able to put some runs on the board for our pitchers," WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. "At times you could tell we didn't have any competition the last week other than against ourselves, but it was nice to get out and play. The wind was blowing out and we were fortunate to hit some balls out of the park. It was nice to get out and play and get the rust off the bats a little bit to prepare us for Arizona."
The sweep improved WNCC's record to 12-4. The Cougars will next be in action on Sunday when they start their 10-game spring break road trip. WNCC will depart for Arizona on Friday.
"Any time you can go beat juniors and seniors, that's good for the kids," Winn-Ratliff said. "It's a good momentum builder. Hopefully, we can carry on the good offense we've been having and get better production in the circle."
In addition to pounding out 20 hits between the two games on Wednesday, the Cougars belted four home runs and totaled a whopping 13 extra-base hits.
Holding on to a slim 10-9 lead entering the fifth inning of game one, WNCC broke the contest open in the top of the fifth by sending 14 hitters to the plate. The big blow of the inning came off the bat of Alec Voci, who blasted a three-run double. Voci also hit a two-run home run in the second inning. She finished the contest going 2-for-5 with five runs batted in and three runs scored.
Also in the game for WNCC, Kara Ryman, Jessie McNabb, Mandy Pounds and Lauren Mills all collected two hits each. Ryman had a two-run home run in the fourth inning and finished with four runs batted in and three runs scored. In addition to her two hits, McNabb scored two runs and totaled two stolen bases. Mills finished with a double, a triple, scored two runs and was hit by a pair of pitches. Ryman, McNabb and Pounds also had doubles in the game.
WNCC finished the opener with 13 hits. Freshman Allie Griffin picked up the win in the circle by pitching the final 2 2/3 innings. She allowed only two hits and struck out five in relief of starter Natasha Dypchey. Dypchey struck out two in 2 1/3 innings of work.
It didn't take long for WNCC to take control in the second game. The Cougars scored a pair of first-inning runs on a two-run home run off the bat of McNabb before adding five more runs in the third to bolt to a 7-0 advantage.
Black Hills plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth, but WNCC put the game on ice with an eight-run sixth inning. Four of those runs came courtesy of Mills, who had a solo home run and a three-run double in the inning.
Mills finished the contest going 2-for-4 with four runs batted in and two runs scored. McNabb went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and three runs scored and Amanda Torimaru was 2-for-4 with a double, three runs batted in and two runs scored. Whittany Foster added a double.
WNCC totaled 11 hits in the contest.
Kelsey Garner picked up the win in the circle to improve to 8-1. She scattered four hits and struck out six in 5 2/3 innings of work.
"We've been in every ball game and have had the opportunity to win every ball game," Winn-Ratliff said. "Our pitching staff's done a nice job for us and offensively we've really supported them. I'm happy with where we're at right now."
Game 1
WNCC 132 48 - 18 13 1
BHSU 422 10 - 9 7 3
WP - Allie Griffin.
HR - Kara Ryman, Alec Voci. 3B - Lauren Mills. 2B - Mills, Ryman, Voci, Jessie McNabb, Mandy Pounds.
Game 2
WNCC (12-4) 205 008 - 15 11 0
BHSU 000 030 - 3 6 5
WP - Kelsey Garner.
HR - Lauren Mills, Jessie McNabb. 2B - Whittany Foster, Amanda Torimaru, Mills
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