WNCC softball splits with Otero in Region IX games

LA JUNTA, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball team split a doubleheader against Otero Junior College Saturday in Region IX games.

The Cougars put together a strong game offensively and defensively to claim the opener 7-0 before suffering a 6-3 setback in game two.

“Offensively we got on them quick and got timely hits,” coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “Defensively, we did really well. Kelsey [Garner] kept them off balance and scattered five hits.”

Garner dazzled once again from the circle. The freshman from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada struck out five and walked one in gaining her third straight shut-out win.

Offensively, the Cougars scattered nine hits and scored practically at will, scoring two runs each in the first and second innings, and then putting a three-spot in the seventh.

In the first, Lauren Bourdon slammed a two-RBI single to crack the scoreboard first.

In the second, Lauren Mills upped the lead to 4-0 as she hammered a 2-run home run.

The score stayed that way until the seventh when the Cougars scored three times on four hits. Bourdon started the scoring by getting a run-scoring single. Then, Kara Ryman had a 2-run hit to put the Cougars up 7-0.

Torimaru led the team with a 3-for-4 game, including three RBIs and a run scored. Bourdon also had a good game, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Mills also had a good game, going 1-for-1 with a home run, three runs scored, two walks and a hit by pitch.

The Cougars started the second game well, but then couldn’t get enough hits put together. WNCC scored single runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings, but gave up three runs early to trail 3-1 after two.

WNCC sliced the lead to 5-3 on solo home runs by Bourdon and Mills, but it wasn’t enough.

Natasha Dypchey took the loss in the circle going three innings, while giving up six hits, one strike out and two walks. Garner threw four innings, giving up four hits, two runs and getting four strikeouts.

Mills has another good game, going 1-for-2 with two runs scored, an RBI and a home run. Bourdon went 1for-3 with a home run, while Mandy Pounds collected the hit for the Cougars.

“We scored a run early and then we couldn’t string any hits together,” Winn-Ratliff said. “We should have one both, but we are hoping to keep the momentum for tomorrow.”

WNCC, 9-4, will take on Lamar Community College today in a doubleheader beginning at noon in Lamar, Colo.

First Game
WNCC 220 000 3 -- 7 9 4
Otero 000 000 0 -- 0 5 0
WP -- Garner; HR -- Mills.

Second Game
WNCC 100 110 0 -- 3 5 2
Otero 210 201 x -- 6 11 2
LP -- Dypchey; HR -- Mills, Bourdon.