The Cougars will host Black Hills State College at 2 p.m. in a doubleheader at Volunteer Field. On Monday, the team scored nine runs in the sixth and seventh inning to take game one from Trinidad 9-4. WNCC then put up eight, seventh-inning runs to take the second game 10-7. The team pounded out 24 hits in the two conference wins.
On Sunday, the Cougars split contests with Otero Junior College falling 3-2 in game one and then slamming three home runs in picking up a 5-3 win in game two.
After Monday’s come-from-behind wins, the team is looking forward to be playing at home.
“I think they are excited to be playing at home. The weather is beautiful this weekend and it was nice to score runs and pick up a conference sweep [on Monday],” WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “We should have taken all four this weekend.”
One of the reasons for the Cougars taking three of four games this weekend was their hitting. WNCC finished with 36 hits in the four games.
“The last three games we hit the ball well,” Winn-Ratliff said.
WNCC will need some timely hitting Tuesday when they host Black Hills State College, a four-year institution from Spearfish, S.D.
“Both of their pitchers are seniors and they will probably throw the ball pretty well,” Winn-Ratliff said. “It will just be a matter if we can contain them offensively and if we can find a way to put the ball in play.”
In Monday’s games against Trinidad, WNCC found a way to put the ball play in play when they needed to. In fact, in both games, the Cougars fell behind early. In game one, Trinidad led 3-0 through five innings, before the Cougars put up five runs in the sixth inning for a 5-3 lead. The Cougars added four more runs in the seventh inning to salt the game away.
WNCC finished with five hits in the crucial sixth inning as Kelly Pearson and Katie Groves each had run-scoring singles, and Alyssa Hickey had a 2 run-scoring single. In the seventh, Stephanie Townsend led off with a double and the Cougar bats followed as Groves, Kelsey Garner and Sofia Gomez each had singles.
Garner picked up the win, scattering seven hits while striking out seven, while walking two.
Gomez and Pearson went 2-for-3 in the contest, while Groves went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs and two singles. Gomez and Townsend each had doubles in the win.
The second game was even more dramatic for the Cougars. Trinidad jumped out on top 6-0 after two innings. WNCC trailed 7-2 after six innings before. In the seventh, Townsend started the offensive comeback with a single. Adena Hagen followed with a run-scoring double. Groves later delivered the big hit, a 2-run home run. It was Groves seventh home run of the season. Brittany Chacon finished off the inning with a 2-run single to spark the comeback win.
The Cougars finished the game with 13 hits. Hagen paced the team with a 3-for-5 performance, including two runs scored, three RBIs and a double. Groves went 1-for-2 with two runs scored, two RBIs and a home run.
Also for the Cougars, Garner went 2-for-4 with two singles, While Hickey and Alec Voci each had a double. Chacon went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Garner started the contest, allowing six runs in less than two innings of work. Casey Simpson came in to get the win, scattering seven hits and allowing just one run, while striking out five.
In Sunday’s split with Otero, the Cougars smacked all three home runs in game two against the Rattlers. Groves started the home run parade with a solo shot in the second inning for a 1-0 lead. Otero tied the game in the third with a run, before the Cougars scored four times in the fifth inning. Three of the four runs came with two outs.
Garner started the fifth-inning scoring stampede with a solo home run. Then, with two outs, Alec Voci crushed a shot for a 3-1 lead. Adena Hagen followed with a double while Brittany Chacon earned a walk. Garner and Groves each had run-scoring singles for a 5-1 lead.
Garner picked up the win on the mound, going seven innings, striking out three and walking three.
Garner and Groves paced the team with 2-for-3 performances. Groves had two RBIs and a home run. Kelly Pearson finished with a 2-for-4 game with two singles and a run batted in. Voci went 1-for-3 with a home run, while Hagen went 1-for-4 with a double.
In the opening game, Garner struck out nine and allowed five hits in taking the loss.
WNCC struck first, scoring once in the second inning as Groves singles and scored on a Garner hit.
Otero took a 3-1 lead after four innings before WNCC mounted a seventh-inning rally. Gomez started things by drawing a walk. Gomez was lifted for a pinch-runner. Hickey singled and then Chacon scored on a Garner hit that found the seam between the Otero shortstop’s legs.
Hagen paced the team with a 2-for-4 performance, including two singles and a stolen base. Groves and Hickey had the other hits for WNCC.
The 3-1 weekend series moves the Cougars on top of the Region IX standings with the 3-1 record, followed by Lamar and Otero at 3-3. WNCC host Black Hills State College on Tuesday before entertaining Dawson Community College Friday and Saturday in home doubleheaders beginning at 2 p.m.
Sunday’s Games
Game One
WNCC 010 000 1 – 2 4
Otero 010 200 x – 3 5
LP – Garner.
Game Two
WNCC (13-11) 010 040 0 – 5 8
Otero (11-12) 001 011 0 – 3 5
WP – Garner; 2B – Hagen; HR – Groves, Garner, Voci.
Monday’s Games
Game One
WNCC 000 005 4 – 9 11
Trinidad State 000 210 1 – 4 7
WP – Garner; 2B – Gomez, Townsend.
Game Two
WNCC (15-11) 000 110 8 – 10 13
Trinidad (10-11) 330 100 0 – 7 13
WP – Simpson; 2B – Hagen, Hickey, Voci; HR – Groves.
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