WNCC baseball team drops games against NJC

Submitted by Jeremy Woznick, Star-Herald Sports Reporter

PUEBLO, Colo. - The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team dropped a non-conference doubleheader to Northeastern Junior College Saturday afternoon in Pueblo, Colo.

WNCC (1-11) lost by scores of 4-3 and 4-1. Five of the Cougars' losses so far this season have been by just one run.

"We're much better than our record shows," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "We are seeing progress. We just made a few too many errors today, but we are progressing."

WNCC was supposed to host its home opener against Miles City Community College this weekend in Scottsbluff. But the field conditions forced the games to be cancelled.

In Saturday's first game, WNCC plated all three of its runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to knot the score at 3-3. But NJC scored the game-winning run in the top of the sixth to sneak out the victory.

JC Morales led WNCC offensively by going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Jason Sloan, Oscar Rodriguez and Jared Baros all had run-scoring singles for the Cougars.

Carlos Luzon pitched well in his first collegiate start. Luzon allowed three runs on seven hits in getting a no decision. He struck out four.

Jacob Stutzman took the loss on the mound. He allowed one run and struck out one in two innings of work out of the bullpen.

In game two, WNCC mustered its lone run in the top of the first when Trace Marsden drove in Elvis Garcia.

Marsden and Shane Wade both went 2-for-3 with doubles. Caleb Patton also had a double in the game for the Cougars.

Carlos Palomo took the loss on the mound. He allowed three runs on just two hits in five innings. Palomo struck out three and walked five.

John Bravard worked one inning in relief and struck out one.

WNCC is scheduled to be back in action Wednesday in Fort Collins, Colo., against the Colorado State University club team. The Cougars will then open Region IX play Saturday at home against Trinidad State Junior College.

Game One
NJC 101 101 0 - 4 11 0
WNCC 000 300 0 - 3 9 3
LP - Jacob Stutzman.

Game Two
WNCC 100 000 0 - 1 7 1
NJC 102 001 x - 4 5 1
LP - Carlos Palomo.
2B - Shane Wade, Trace Marsden, Caleb Patton.