In the opener, Casey Simpson struck out 13 and the Cougar bats erupting for nine second-inning runs in posting a 16-0 win. WNCC was just as lethal in the second game, rapping out 15 hits in securing a 23-0 win.
The Cougars will right back on the diamond Wednesday as they host Otero Junior College in conference contests. First pitch for the contests is 2 p.m. at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff.
WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said the games against Otero are crucial for the regional tournament.
“These games will determine our seed for the regional tournament next month,” she said.
Winn-Ratliff said while the Cougars hit well, they also took advantage of scoring opportunities. WNCC had 22 hits in the two contests, but were helped by 33 McCook walks.
In the opener, WNCC quickly took control scoring once in the first inning and then plated nine runs in the second inning to take a 10-0 lead. The Cougars managed three more runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
Simpson also threw a sterling contest, allowing just one hit. The freshman from Nokomis, Saskatchewan also struck a season high 13 batters. In fact, Simpson was responsible for 13 of the 15 outs in the run-shortened contest. The other two outs were a fly out and a ground out.
Offensively, Lauryn Smith went 2-for-3 with a double, four RBIs and two runs scored, while Katie Groves finished 2-for-4 with a runs scored, two RBIs, a single and a triple.
Tiffany Lookabill also had a nice showing, going 1-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBIs and two walks.
Alyssa Hickey finished with three runs scored and an RBI without getting an official at bat. Hickey was walked three times and hit by a pitch in her four plate appearances.
WNCC was even more explosive offensively in game two, scoring 23 runs on 15 hits. The Cougars opened the contest scoring seven times in the first inning and then put up 14 runs in the fifth inning.
Stephanie Townsend also controlled the McCook batters from the circle in getting the win.. The freshman from Roosevelt, Utah, allowed two hits, while striking out three. The Cougar defense also allowed just three Indian baserunners.
Groves, the team leader in batting average, home runs and RBIs, led the team with a 3-for-4 performance, including three singles, three runs scored, three RBIs and a walk.
Three other players also contributed two hits. Townsend and Megan Burditt each went 2-for-2, while Smith went 2-for-3. Smith finished with two singles, two walks, two RBIs and four runs scored. Townsend had a double, three walks, two runs scored and two RBIs, while Burditt had two singles, two runs scored and two RBIs.
Hickey finished the night without a plate appearance for the second straight contest, as the freshman from Boulder, Colo., was walked three times and hit by a pitch another time. Kelly Pearson also added a double in the win, while going 1-for-2.
WNCC (23-15) is tied for the conference lead with Lamar Community College with 8-4 records. Otero, today’s conference opponent, is 8-6 in conference play and 16-16-15 overall. Otero and WNCC split a doubleheader back on March 15 with Otero winning the first game 3-2 before WNCC won the second 5-3.
First Game
WNCC 190 33 – 16 7
McCook 000 00 – 0 1
WP – Simpson; 2B – Smith; 3B – Groves.
Second Game
WNCC (23-15) 702 0(14) – 23 15
McCook 000 00 – 0 2
WP – Townsend; 2B – Pearson, Townsend.
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