WNCC softball pounds out six home runs, blanks Colby in doubleheader

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team pounded out 22 hits and had six home runs in taking a doubleheader from Colby Community College Sunday in Colby, Kan.The two wins was the team's 31st and 32nd wins of the season.

The No. 20 Cougars scored five times in the first inning in registering an 11-0 win in the first game. The second game saw the Cougars pound out five home runs, including two dingers each from sophomore Alec Voci and freshman Casey Simpson in registering the 14-0 win.

WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said the team came to play and really hit the ball. The also got some nice pitching performances from the circle.

In the opener, Casey Simpson picked up the win, going four innings and allowing three hits and striking out three.

Offensively, WNCC finished with seven hits, scoring in all five innings that they played. The big hit was Stephanie Townsend 2-run home run in the fourth inning the pushed the score to 9-0. Townsend, who pitched two innings as well, went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, four RBIs, a double and a home run.

Kelly Pearson also collected multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Also for WNCC, Brittany Chacon went 1-for-3 with a double, and Katie Groves went 0-1 with three runs scored and three walks.

WNCC kept the offensive going in the second game, pounding out 15 hits, including nine extra base hits.

Groves got the offense started in the second inning with a 3-run home run, her 12^th of the year to put WNCC up 4-3. Groves finished the contest 4-for-4 with two runs scored, four RBIs, two singles, a double and a home run.

After Groves home run, Voci and Simpson took over the hitting. Simpson had two 2-run shots in the game. The first home run coming in the third inning, while her second one coming in the fourth inning. Simpson finished the game 3-for-4 with three runs scored, four RBIs and two home runs.

Voci had a solo shot in the fourth inning and then launched a 2-run home run in the fifth inning. Voci went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, three RBIs and two home runs.

Also for WNCC, Pearson went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, Lauryn Smith went 1-for-1 with a double and RBI, and Tiffany Lookabill went 1-for-2 with a runs scored and a double.

Kelsey Garner and Townsend combined on a one hitter. Garner got the win, going three innings, while striking out three. Garner allowed the only hit, a second-inning single.

WNCC (32-16) will face Colby in another doubleheader Monday.

First Game
WNCC 511 22 – 11 7
Colby CC 000 00 – 0 3
WP – Simpson; 2B – WNCC (Pearson, Townsend, Chacon); HR – WNCC (Townsend).

Second Game
WNCC (32-16) 043 34 – 14 15
Colby CC 000 00 – 0 1
WP – Garner; 2B – WNCC (Groves, Smith, Pearson, Lookabill); HR – WNCC (Voci 2, Simpson 2, Groves).