WNCC softball hits five more home runs, sweeps Friends College

WICHITA, Kan. – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team connected on five home runs Saturday as they won games 41 and 42 on the season over Friends College junior varsity.

WNCC’s Jessie McNabb had two home runs in game one as the Cougars won 6-0, while Kara Ryman had two jacks in game two in WNCC’s 6-2 win. Lauren Mills had the other home run for the Cougars in game one.

The Cougars’ home run fest has been outstanding in the last three days, where they blasted 17 home runs. Ryman has had four home runs in the last two days, while Mills has connected on four in the last three days. McNabb, with her two on Saturday, has hit three home runs.

Even with the wins, coach Maria Winn Ratliff said they didn’t play overly well.

“We did not show up to play,” she said. “Their pitchers did a good job of keeping us off balance and we needed to make some adjustments.”

Still, the Cougars were the better team on the day. In the opener, McNabb started the home run fest with a solo shot in the first. WNCC went up 3-0 in the third as McNabb doubled and scored on a Ryman single.

McNabb added to the lead in the fifth with a 2-run bomb. McNabb finished the game 3-for-4 with three runs scored, three RBIs, a double and two home runs.

Bourdon went 3-for-3 on the day with a double and two singles, while Ryman went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Ashley Patton continued throwing well in the circle, picking up the win. Patton faced just 27 batters in seven innings of work, giving up five hits and walking just one.

Kelsey Garner picked up the win in game two, as the freshman hurler struck out six while allowing a run in five innings of work. Allie Griffin finished off the game throwing two innings, while striking out four.

Offensively, WNCC was paced by Ryman with a 3-for-4 game, including two RBIs, a double, two home runs and two runs scored. Ryman’s homers were solo shots in the second and seventh innings.

Mills also went 3-for-4 on the day, with four RBIs and a home run, while Kayli Allen went 1-for-1 with a single and stolen base.

The Cougars, 42-6, will face Hutchinson Community College Sunday on the final day of the four-day road trip.

First Game
WNCC 101 021 1 – 6 10 0
Friends 000 000 0 – 0 5 1
WP – Patton; 2B – McNabb, Bourdon; HR – McNabb (2).

Second Game
WNCC 011 012 1 – 6 12 0
Friends 001 000 1 – 2 4 1
WP – Garner; 2B – Ryman; HR – Ryman (2), Mills.