WNCC softball sweeps Dawson for 15th straight win

GLENDIVE, Mont. — The Western Nebraska Community College softball team ran their winning streak to 15 games with two impressive Region IX wins against Dawson Community College Saturday in Glendive, Mont.

The Cougars, 24-4, received a one-hit performance from Kelsey Garner in game one to claim the 9-0 win before getting the sweep with a 12-2 win in game two.

“I thought we hit good in the first game and defensively we played well,” head coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “The second game we came out a little sluggish until the sixth inning.

“I was also pleased with Ashley Patton’s performance at second base and at the plate. She game up with a big RBI single in the sixth to keep the inning going. Also, Kara [Ryman] and Tor [Amanda Torimaru] continued to hit the ball like they have the last two weeks.”

The Cougars started both games off with a bang. In the opener, WNCC scored twice in the first and never looked back behind Garner’s dazzling performance in the circle. Garner struck out seven, and walked two in the win.

Offensively, Whittany Foster paced the team with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double, while Lauren Mills went 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI. Torimaru went 1-for-1 with a double and two RBIs, while Ryman and Amanda Hensley each had a double.

Ryman continued her strong hitting in game two, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a home run e run was a second-inning leadoff dinger to help the Cougars to a 3-2 lead after two innings. The Cougars opened up the game with eight runs in the sixth inning for the win.

Natasha Dypchey picked up the win, pitching the final four innings and striking out two. Jessica Pexton started the game, striking out two and allowing two runs.

Ryman, Alec Voci and Ashley Patton each finished with two hits in the game. Voci and Patton each were 2-for-3, Patton finished with a run scored and a RBI and run scored, while Voci had two runs scored.

The Cougars will next be in action today when they face Dawson in a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. on the road.

First Game

WNCC 213 30 — 9 11 2

Dawson 000 00 — 0 1 0

WP — Garner, 2B — Torimaru, Ryman, Foster, Hensley.

Second Game

WNCC (24-4) 121 008 — 12 10 2

Dawson 020 000 — 2 8 3

WP — Dypchey; 2B — Torimaru; 3B — Hensley; HR — Ryman.