WNCC hits six home runs, tops McCook to move into regional championship series Sunday at Volunteer Field

                MCCOOK – The 19^th-ranked Western Nebraska Community College softball team smashed six home runs and earned a berth in the Region IX championship series on Sunday with an 18-3 win over McCook Community College Friday afternoon in McCook.

                The Cougars will now face Otero Junior College in the best 2-out-of-3 series at Volunteer Field. Game times are slated for 5 and 7 p.m. with an if-necessary game slated for Monday.

                Otero earned a berth to face the Cougars with a 4-1 win over Trinidad State Junior College on their side of the bracket. Otero and WNCC enter with almost identical records. The two squads are combined 105-16 record. WNCC enters with a 54-8 mark, which ties the school record for most wins in a season. WNCC also has won 14 straight games.

                WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said it is an honor to tie the season record for wins, but Sunday’s regional championship series will be a battle between two good teams.

                “It’s a huge honor to get to 54 wins and be able to tie the record. It shows how hard the team has been working,” she said. “Sunday will be competitive I think. Both teams are playing well and it is always exciting games versus Otero.”

                WNCC’s offensive attack was hitting on all cylinders Friday against McCook, belting out 20 hits. The Cougars also smashed six home runs and five doubles.

                Winn-Ratliff said she was pleased with the team’s offense from top to bottom.

                “We hit the ball well today,” she said. “That is always nice when you start off with a home run,” “We had a lot of young ladies come up big for us today.”

Duran had the hot bat, going 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs and three runs scored.

                Duran led off the game with a solo shot in the first inning and then had another solo no-doubter to lead off the fourth inning. Duran now has 24 home runs on the season. She also came within one of tying the school record for doubles in a season, hitting her 27^th of the year on a lead-off two-bagger in in the second. Duran also had a run-scoring single in the third.

                Besides Duran, seven other Cougars had multiple hits. Danielle Hearn also had tremendous plate appearances, going 3-for-3 with a double, home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Hearn hit her 2-run jack in the first inning to make the score 6-0. She also had a double and a single in the third inning.

                WNCC also received home runs from Jennifer Cottle, Mariah Shepherd, and Lindsey Shiels-Brophy. Cottle blasted her 2-run home run in the third inning. She also had a run-scoring double in the first inning. Cottle finished the game with three RBIs and two runs scored.

                Shepherd and Shiels-Brophy each had a solo home run came in the third. Shepherd went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Shiels-Brophy went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

                WNCC also had multiple hits from Kasey Cash, Angel Council, and Kayla Romey. Cash finished with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored, while Council had a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Romey had two singles with a run scored.

                WNCC led 6-0 after one period and pushed the lead to 8-0 after two innings. The Cougars put the game away with a 9-run third inning that saw the Cougars lead 17-0. McCook got on the scoreboard with home runs in the fourth and fifth inning.

                Duran picked up her 34^th win of the season with another dominating performance. Duran faced just 12 batters in three innings of work, allowing a hit and striking out one. RaVae Herrera and Shelby McGraw each tossed one inning. Herrera struck out three in allowing three hits and two runs, while McGraw allowed two hits and a run.

McCook                               000 21 – 3 6 0

WNCC (54-8)                      629 1x – 18 20 3

WP – Bianca Duran; 2B – Duran, Kasey Cash, Angel Council, Jennifer Cottle, Danielle Hearn; HR – Duran 2, Cottle, Mariah Shepherd, Lindsey Shiels-Brophy, Danielle Hearn.

Baseball team falls in first round of playoffs

                STERLING, Colo. – The Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen opened up a tight contest and captured an 8-2 win over Western Nebraska Community College in game one of their best of three series of the Region IX playoffs Friday afternoon in Sterling, Colo.

                The two teams will battle again Saturday 2 p.m. WNCC needs to win the next two games to advance in the regional playoffs.

                The other playoff series between Lamar Community College and Otero Junior College got underway Friday as well with No. 3 seed Otero earning a 5-2 win over the No. 2 seed Lamar. The winner of the first round will meet next weekend in the Region IX championship series.

                Friday’s contest started out as a pitcher’s duel between WNCC’s Challis Wright and NJC’s Brennan Henry. Wright was holding his own until NJC finally cracked the scoreboard on a 2-run home run by Jordan Procyshen in the third inning.

                WNCC came back and sliced the lead in half with a single run In the fourth as Nick Vanthillo earned a lead-off walk and scored on a wild pitch. WNCC had the bases loaded in the inning was primed to do more damage, but couldn’t get any more runs.

                NJC would push the score to 6-1 with a four-run fourth inning that was highlighted by four straight singles before Ben Chamberlin’s 2-run double.

               WNCC had opportunities to cut into the deficit in the sixth as they loaded the bases but only scored one run as Alex Michaud scored on a JT groundout to make the score 6-2.

                NJC added to more in the bottom of the sixth on just two hits and two walks. The big hit was a run-scoring double by Brandon Beackel.

                WNCC managed seven hits in the contest. Vanthillo and Anthony Delgado each had two hits.. Cameron Snyder, Keeton Krause and Core each finished with one hit. All seven hits were singles.

                Wright took the loss on the mound, going five innings in allowing 11 hits and seven runs. He also struck out four and walked just one. Cedric Desmedt allowed one hit and one run, while Jason Palser finished the game, tossing the final three innings in walking two and not allowing a hit. 

WNCC                   000 101 000 – 2 7 2

NJC                        002 402 00x – 8 12 1

LP – Challis Wright.

Softball team opens regional tournament with 9-0 win over Lamar

          MCCOOK – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team started its quest for a fourth straight Region IX championship in fine fashion as Bianca Duran and RaVae Herrera combined on a 2-hitter in blanking Lamar Community College 9-0 in action at the Region IX Tournament in McCook.

                The Cougars, 53-8 and winners 13-straight, will face the winner of the McCook or Lamar game Friday at 1 p.m. in the championship of their side of the bracket. Lamar beat McCook in the second game of the tournament 6-5.

                In action on in the other bracket, Trinidad State Junior College defeated Northeastern Junior College 11-2 before falling 3-2 to Otero Junior College. The winner of the two brackets will meet in a 2-out-of-3 series Sunday at the site of the higher seed. Games times on Sunday have been set for 5 and 7 p.m. with an if-necessary game slated for Monday.

                WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff thought her team played well both defensively and offensively in the win.

                “I thought for the most part we played very well,” she said. “Both Bianca and RaVae pitched well and we got some timely hits. They were fun to watch today. We are going to enjoy this win for a couple hours and then get refocused for tomorrow (Friday).”

                The Cougars’ pitching was definitely on in the opener. Duran, who earned the NJCAA Pitcher of the Week honor on Wednesday, tossed four innings, allowing just one hit while facing just 13 batters. She also struck out one and walked one. Herrera also was dominating, tossing one inning in allowing one hit and striking out two.

                Offensively, the Cougars did their usual pounding of the ball. WNCC finished with 10 hits in the contest with five going for extra bases.

                WNCC opened the scoring in the second inning as Lindsey Shiels-Brophy had a run-scoring double to put the Cougars up 1-0.

                WNCC opened up the contest in the third with seven runs on six hits. Kasey Cash led off the inning with her 22^nd home run of the season. After an Angle Council single, Jennifer Cottle, who fought off six foul balls, smashed a 2-run shot over the left field fence for a 4-0 lead.

                The Cougars weren’t finished. Mariah Shepherd reached on an error followed by a single by Shelby McGraw and Shiels-Brophy loading the bases on a walk. Duran followed with a 2-run double, followed by Cash getting a run-scoring single. Cottle then earned a walk to force in the seventh run of the inning and an 8-0 lead.

                WNCC’s final run came in the fourth as Kayla Romey singled to score McGraw.

                The Cougars’ defense was a big reason for the win as they maintained the shut out by getting the third and game-ending out in the fifth after a single to centerfield and Cottle tagged out the final out at the plate.

                Duran, Cash, and Cottle each had two hits. Cottle was 2-for-2 with a double, home run, three RBIs and a run scored, while Cash went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. Duran had a double and a single for her two hits, along with two RBIs and a run scored.

Lamar                    000 00 – 0 2 3

WNCC                   017 1x – 9 10 1

WP – Bianca Duran; 2B – Duran, Jennifer Cottle, Lindsey Shiels-Brophy; HR – Cottle, Kasey Cash.

Thursday’s Results

Trinidad 11, NE Colorado 2

Lamar 6, McCook 5

Otero 3, Trinidad 2

WNCC 9, Lamar 0

Friday’s Schedule

11 a.m. – Trinidad vs. NJC and Lamar vs. McCook (losers eliminated)

1 p.m. – Otero vs. winner Trinidad/NJC and WNCC vs. winner Lamar/McCook

3 p.m. – if-necessary games of the two 1 p.m. games. Otherwise, the winners advance to the championship series on Sunday at the home of the higher seed at 5 and 7 p.m.

WNCC softball team looking for fourth straight regional title

                The Western Nebraska Community College softball team will be looking for their forth straight Region IX title when they begin play in the regional tournament on Thursday in McCook.

                The 19th-ranked Cougars enter the tournament with a balmy record at 52-8 and a 12-game winning streak. More importantly, though, the Cougars hold the No. 1 seed in the tournament, which could come into play on Sunday.

                WNCC opens play Thursday at 6 p.m. against the winner of Lamar Community College and McCook Community College. If the Cougars win, they won't play again until Friday at 6 p.m.

                Sophomore Mariah Shepherd said the team is ready for regionals, but at same time, they have to be ready to play or they can get beat by any number of the Region IX teams.

                "We just need to play as a team," Shepherd said. "If we don't play our A game and do what we know how to do, then they [Lamar and McCook] will fight back. So, we definitely have to give them our best game."

                This regional tournament has a different flare to it. The tournament consists of a first round and a second round. The first round is comprised of two 3-team pools that play a double elimination tournament. The winners of the two pools will then play each other in a 2-out-of-3 series at the home of the higher seed on Sunday, May 6, which be Volunteer Field if they come out of their pool in the next few days.

                Another added twist to the tournament involves a district playoff. The Region IX winner will not qualify directly to the national tournament in St. George, Utah, but instead host the winner of Region 6, the Kansas region, in a 2-out-of-3 series beginning May 9 with the winner advancing to the national tournament.

                The Cougars enter the tournament playing well both offensively and defensively. WNCC boasts a .389 team batting average and has already set the season record for home runs with 87 round trippers. Sophomores Bianca Duran and Kasey Cash lead the home run charge with 21 each, followed by freshman Jennifer Cottle with 12.

                WNCC has 11 players batting over .300 and five that are hitting at a .390 clip or better. Duran leads the team with a .544 batting average followed by Cash at .435, Danielle Hearn at .411, Melanie Rowson at .400, and Cottle at .392. Right behind them, though, comes Angel Council at ..276, Kayla Romey at .375, Shelby McGraw at .262, Shepherd at .248, Lindsey Shiels-Brophy at ..333, Haley Paxton at .320.

                WNCC head coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said the team compliments each other nicely on the offensive end.

                "They just do a great job complimenting each other and communicating with each other. They take some pressure off our coaching staff because they talk to each other," she said. "When they come in other players will talk to them like get your front side down, back sure your back hand is up, things like that.

                "That has really helped us. We just tell them to stay within themselves and home runs are other pitchers' mistakes. [This weekend] it was windy and we were just trying to flatten out our swings and hit some line drives and take advantage of miscues. That is something they have done a really nice job on. I feel like from top to bottom, all 16 of them, they do what we need them to do day in and day out, whether that is is putting a bunt down, hitting behind a runner, hitting a fly ball to score a run, or hitting a home run."

                Defensively, the Cougars are also solid. So far they have turned 23 double plays and have registered six shutouts in the last nine games. The pitching staff of Duran, McGraw and RaVae Herrera have a combined 2.00 earned run average and have struck out 268 batters. Duran leads the way with a NJCAA leading 33 wins from the circle to just one defeat. She has struck out 164 and sports an ERA of 1.12.

                The Cougars, who have already notched many individual and team records, are nearing a record that has stood since 2008, that of most wins in a season. The previous best season is 54-10 and just three wins at regionals will give them the mark.

               

               

WNCC's Bianca Duran earns NJCAA Pitcher of the Week honors

               Western Nebraska Community College's Bianca Duran earns national softball pitcher of week honors by the NJCAA which was announced on Wednesday.

                This past week, Duran helped the Cougars to an 8-0 week and improve to 52-8 on the season.

                 In the pitching circle, Bianca went 4-0 with a 0.00 earned run average. She notched her NJCAA-leading 33rd win of the season, setting a school record. She is now 33-1 with two saves on the year.

                Last week, Bianca was part of a perfect game in an 8-0 win against North Platte Community College on April 26. Bianca went four innings and struck out six followed by relief pitcher Shelby McGraw tossing the fifth inning to preserve the perfect game.

                Overall, Bianca tossed 24 innings, gave up nine hits, two runs, zero earned runs, walked one and struck out 20. Besides setting the season pitching record this week in a win against Garden City on Sunday, she also holds the career pitching record of 57 wins.

                Offensively, Bianca was just as bright where she batted .455 (10 of 22) with eight runs scored, two home runs, nine RBIs, two walks, two doubles, and two stolen bases. She ranks among the leaders in the NJCAA in home runs, doubles, batting average, and slugging percentage.

                She also signed on Saturday to attend NCAA Division I Louisiana Tech University.

                Duran and the rest of the Cougars open Region IX tournament action Thursday at McCook with hopes of bringing home a fifth straight- Region IX championship.

WNCC tops NJC 12-11, earns spot in playoffs

                [April 29] Western Nebraska Community College’s Zach Ostergard’s bases-clearing double in the fifth inning of the second game was the spark the Cougars needed as they came back to drop Northeastern Junior College 12-11 of a doubleheader Monday afternoon at Cleveland Field.

                WNCC, who fell 11-1 in the opening contest, needed at least one victory to make the playoffs. And the Cougars’ gutsy comeback was what sent the Cougars into the playoffs.

                “This is a huge win. It shows what we are as a team and shows how well we can work together and overcome everything,” Ostergard said. “We have been able to overcome everything this whole season, which is big for us. We are going to carry it on into the playoffs and do our thing in the playoffs.

                “Now, in the playoffs, we have to just keep what we are doing. We have to stay focused in practice. This is a big win, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We have to stay humble, stay as a team, work hard, and just get things done.”

                Ostergard said that the key was staying focused and not giving up.

                “Coach [Mike Jones] always told us that we will mess up, make mistakes, and bad things will happen because it is baseball,” he said. “We just have to overcome it and he said someone has to step up and I am glad that I was able to do that for our team.”

                WNCC will face No. 1 seed Northeastern Junior College in the first-round, best 2-of-3 series that starts Friday in Sterling at 2 p.m. The other first-round pairing has No. 2 Lamar Community College hosting No. 3 Otero Junior College.  WNCC opens the playoffs on Friday at 2 p.m. in Sterling, Colo.

                WNCC is actually playing some of its best ball right now, having won six of their last seven contests, including taking four games from McCook Community College on Saturday and Sunday.

                Ostergard said they are playing well right know.

                “This stretch of wins shows what we have been made of the whole season,” he said. “We have been struggling the whole year and winning those last five games before today [Monday} were big confidence boosters.”

                WNCC needed just one win to make the playoffs and after they dropped the first game to NJC 11-1, things didn’t look peachy. The second game, however, the Cougars put a totally different team on the field.

                NJC opened the second game with two first-inning runs, but WNCC quickly tied the game in the bottom of the inning on Ozzy Gonzalez 2-run home run.

                WNCC opened up the contest with a five-run third inning to take a 7-2 lead. Anthony Delgado led off the third with a solo home run. Nick Vanthillo followed with a double. Cameron Snyder came through with a 2-run double. After two outs, WNCC scored two more runs on a JT Core single.

                NJC would come back to grab a 10-7 lead with four runs each in the fourth and fifth inning. WNCC, however, wouldn’t panic as they responded with three runs of their own in the fifth on just one hit, Ostergard’s base-loaded, two-out double to tie the game at 10-10.

                WNCC retook the lead 12-10 with two runs in the sixth and it all started with Vanthillo reaching base after a dropped third strike throw that went bad.  Vanthillo would later score the go-ahead run on an errand throw. Alex Michaud would then drive in the 12^th run with a single.

                NJC made a seventh rally, scoring once, but Grant Piccolli game in to get the save and send the Cougars into the playoffs.

                Cedric Desmedt picked up the win on the mound, going just 2 1/3 innings in relieve of starter John Timmins and reliever Challis Wright. Desmedt allowed four hits and three runs, while striking out two. Piccolli got the final two outs in allowing just one hit.

                WNCC pounded out 10 with five extra base hits. Core led the way with a 3-for-3 game with two RBIs and two runs scored. Vanthillo, Snyder and Ostergard all had doubles in the game, while Delgado and Gonzalez had home runs. Ostergard finished the game with three RBIs.

                In the opening game, the Cougars managed just two hits in the contest. The only run was scored by Michaud, who scored on a Gabriel DeLa Rosa single in the second inning.

                WNCC earned their playoff spot because of what they did over the weekend at McCook, taking all four games. On Sunday, the Cougars won 14-3 and 6-3 to keep their hopes alive.

                In Sunday’s games, Gering’s Grant Rimington picked up both wins. The right-handed sophomore went six strong innings and received plenty of offensive support in the 14-3 first game. Rimington also got the win in the second game, pitching the final three innings in relief.

                Sunday’s first game saw Nick Vanthillo finish with five RBIs on three hits, including two doubles and a home run as the Cougars. Vanthillo was one of three Cougars to finish with multiple hits. Anthony Delgado had three runs scored along with a double and two RBIs, while Ozzy Gonzalez had a double and RBI. Gabriel DeLa Rosa had the only other extra base hit, a home run.

                The second game was tighter, but the Cougars prevailed. WNCC pounded out 11 hits, including three with two hits each. Delgado went 2-for-4 with a RBI and a home run; Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, and Michaud was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Garcia had a double in the game as well.

Monday’s Games

First Game

NE Colorado                       203 33 – 11 14 0

WNCC                                   010 00 – 1 2 2

LP – Nick Vanthillo; 2B – Anthony Delgado.

Second Game

NE Colorado                       200 440 1 – 11 11 4

WNCC                                   205 032 x – 12 10 5

WP – Cedric Desmedt, S – Grant Piccolli; 2B – Vanthillo, Cameron Snyder, Zach Oxtergard; HR –  Delgado, Ozzy Gonzalez.

Sunday’s Games

First Game

WNCC                   060 323 -- 14 9 0

McCook               020 100 -- 3 8 2

WP -- Grant Rimington; 2B -- Delgado, Vanthillo 2, Gonzalez; HR -- Vanthillo, Gabriel DeLa Rosa.

Second Game

WNCC                   122 010 0 -- 6 11 2

McCook               110 100 0 -- 3 6 0

WP -- Rimington; 2B -- Alex Michaud, Pablo Garcia; HR -- Delgado, Gonzalez.

                

WNCC baseball takes two from McCook on Sunday

                [April 28] MCCOOK -- Western Nebraska Community College's Grant Rimington picked up two pitching wins in a single day as the Cougar baseball team kept their playoff hopes alive after sweeping McCook Community College Sunday in McCook.

                In the opener, Rimington went six strong innings and received plenty of offensive support as the Cougars 10-runned McCook 14-3. The second game saw Rimington pitch the final three innings in earning the win on the mound 6-3.

                More importantly, the two wins kept the Cougars in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff spot. All the Cougars have to do to earn a playoff spot is beat Northeastern Junior College in just one game on Monday. NJC and WNCC will battle in a doubleheader at Cleveland Field beginning at 2 p.m.

                If The Cougars make the playoffs, they will earn the No. 4 seed and play the No. 1 seed Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen in a 2 out of 3 series in Sterling, Colo., this weekend. NJC earned the No. 1 seed after Lamar Community College had to forfeit five conference games. If WNCC and Trinidad State tie for the final spot, the Cougars own the third tiebreaker, which is who beat the NJC the most.

                And, on Sunday, WNCC left little doubt from the get-go who was going to win. In the opening contest,

                The first game saw Nick Vanthillo finish with five RBIs on three hits, including two doubles and a home run as the Cougars. Vanthillo was one of three Cougars to finish with multiple hits. Anthony Delgado had three runs scored along with a double and two RBIs, while Ozzy Gonzalez had a double and RBI. Gabriel DeLa Rosa had the only other extra base hit, a home run.

                WNCC scored six runs in the second inning. McCook walked four of the first five batters for the first run. After that, the Cougars had three straight doubles of the bats of Delgado, Vanthillo, and Gonzalez for the 6-0 lead.

                McCook  scored two in the bottom of the second, but the Cougars added three in the fourth, two in the fifth and six in the sixth for their 14 runs. Vanthillo had a run-scoring double in the fourt before delivering a 2-run home run in the fifth.

                The sixth saw DeLa Rosa deliver a 3-run shot to put WNCC up 14-3.

                Rimington went six innings in tossing just 76 pitches and facing 26 batters. The Gering graduate scattered eight hits and gave up three runs.

                The second game was tighter. WNCC opened the scoring with a single run in the first off a lead-off home run by Anthony Delgado. The Cougars then added two runs each i the second and third to take a 5-2 lead. The big hit in the third a 2-run home run by Ozzy Gonzalez.

                The Cougars added an insurance run in the fifth on on a Alex Michaud run-scoring double.

                Jason Palser started the game and went four innings in allowing three runs with three walks and three strike outs. Rimington tossed the final three innings in allowing just one hit while striking out three.

                Offensively, WNCC pounded out 11 hits, including three with two hits each. Delgado went 2-for-4 with a RBI and a home run; Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, and Michaud was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Garia had a double in the game as well.

First Game

WNCC                   060 323 -- 14 9 0

McCook               020 100 -- 3 8 2

WP -- Grant Rimington; 2B -- Anthony Delgado, Nick Vanthillo 2, Ozzy Gonzalez; HR -- Vanthillo, Gabriel DeLa Rosa.

Second Game

WNCC                   122 010 0 -- 6 11 2

McCook               110 100 0 -- 3 6 0

WP -- Grant Rimington; 2B -- Alex Michaud, Pablo Garcia; HR -- Anthony Delgado, Ozzy Gonzalez.

Softball team sweeps Garden City in DH on sophomore recognition day

               [April 28]  The 19th ranked Western Nebraska Community College softball team wrapped the regular season in fine fashion in claiming a doubleheader over Garden City Community College Sunday at Volunteer Field.

                Bianca Duran captured her 33rd pitching win of the season and set the record for most wins in a season as the Cougars captured the 9-2 win. The second game saw WNCC hit just one extra base hit, a game-ending 3-run home run by Shelby McGraw as the Cougars won 10-1.

                WNCC is now 52-8 on the season as they enter the Region IX tournament that begins Wednesday in McCook. The Cougars will open play at 7 p.m. MST against the winner of the Lamar and McCook game.

                WNCC coach Maria Winn Ratliff said it is nice to finish off the regular season on a winning streak and stay unbeaten at home during the regular season at 20-0.

                "It We wanted to win at home and we want to be playing well going into the regional tournament," she said. "I think our pitching has been tremendous in the last 12 or 13 games. I am super excited about that. I am also super excited to see other people stepping up offensively for us as of late."

                It is only the third time in school history the Cougars have reached 50 wins. WNCC is just three wins from finishing with the most wins in a season. The previous best was 54 back in 2008.

                "This season has exceeded my expectations to go 52-8 and being undefeated at home," Winn-Ratliff said. " But, obviously, our expectations is to win a region championship in conference and tournament and we have another couple of weeks to take care of business. It will not be easy going on the road to McCook, but we will do what we can to come home with some victories."

                The Cougars earned the four wins Saturday and Sunday against Garden City Community College. The Broncbusters are a salty team with some good pitching. WNCC, on the other hand, showcased its depth in collecting the two wins Saturday and then Sunday's two wins.

                The second game didn't start off well for the Cougars as they trailed 1-0 after the first inning. It was the second inning that changed the momentum as the Cougars scored seven runs on six hits -- all singles. Plus, the flurry of runs came with two outs.

                Danielle Hearn and Kayla Romey started the rally with back-to-back singles. Duran then singled to drive in the first run. From there, WNCC kept finding the open spot as Kasey Cash had a run-scoring single and Mariah Shepherd had a 2-run scoring single.

                The score stayed that way until the sixth when WNCC ended the game with three runs, once again with two outs. Madison Spencer started things after being hit by a pitch. Shepherd then singled and then McGraw took the third pitch and sent it over the left field fence for the 3-run home run.

                WNCC pounded out 11 hits in the contest. Romey led the way with a 3-for-3 game with a run scored and a stolen base. Shepherd and Angel Council each had two hits. Shepherd had two RBIs and two runs scored, while Council scored a run. McGraw finished the game with a home run and four RBIs.

                RaVae Herrera picked up the win, tossing four innings in allowing six hits, one run and striking out one. McGraw finished the game, tossing two innings, walking two and striking out two.

                The first game saw the Cougars pound out 10 hits, five of which were extra base hits. Shepherd and McGraw each had two hits. Shepherd had two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored, while McGraw had a triple, two RBIs and a run scored. Duran and Cash each had a double and RBI.

                WNCC plated two runs each in the second and third inning. In the second, McGraw led off with a triple and then Hearn scored two runs with a single.

                The Cougars went up 4-0 with two more runs in the third on just two hits. The big hit was a double by Shepherd that scored a run.

                Garden City cut the lead in half with two unearned runs in the fourth inning. But, WNCC immediately answered with five runs of their own in the fifth. Cash and Council each had run-scoring singles in the inning. Shepherd had a run-scoring double, and McGraw had a 2-run single for the 9-2 lead.

First Game

Garden City                        000 200 0 -- 2 3 3

WNCC                                   022 500 x -- 9 10 4

WP -- Bianca Duran; 2B -- Duran, Kasey Cash, Mariah Shepherd 2; 3B -- Shelby McGraw.

Second Game

Garden City                        100 000 -- 1 6 2

WNCC                                   070 003 -- 10 11 1

WP -- RaVae Herrera; HR -- McGraw.

Baseball sweeps McCook, keeps playoff hopes alive

                [April 27] MCCOOK -- The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team kept their playoff hopes alive after combining for 21 runs and 30 hits in sweeping McCook Community College 11-5 and 10-2 in Empire Conference action Saturday in McCook.

                In the opener, the Cougars pounded out 14 hits and received four RBIs and two doubles from Nick Vanthillo in earning the win.

                WNCC also got an outstanding pitching performance from Challis Wright, who scattered eight hits and allowed two runs in six innings of work.

                The Cougars started the offensive output early, scoring three runs in the first inning as Anthony Delgado and JT Core singled before Ozzy Gonzalez delivered a 3-run home run.

                McCook would slice the lead to 3-2, but WNCC punched the lead back to 11-2 with a single run in the fourth, four runs in the sixth, and three runs in the seventh. The fourth inning saw Alex Michaud start things with a double and then score on a Pablo Garcia double.

                WNCC continued the hit parade in the sixth with five hits. Vanthillo had a 2-run double to get things going followed by run-scoring singles by Delgado and Cameron Snyder.

                The Cougars had four players finish with multiple hits. Garcia led the way with a 2-for-3 game with a double, run scored, and RBI. Vanthillo went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and four RBIs. Delgado and Gonzalez each had two hits. Gonzalez had three RBIS and a home run, while Delgado had two singles, two runs scored and a RBI.

                WNCC opened up the offense even more in the second game, pounding out 16 hits, including seven extra base hits. Cameron Snyder and Delgado had the hot bats as each pounded out four hits and three RBIs. Delgado had a double and home run, while Snyder had three doubles.

                WNCC scored  in every inning by the seventh. The Cougars scored one in the first as Snyder singled in Delgado. The second inning saw Keeton Krause score on a Vanthillo single, while in the third Snyder doubled in Delgado and Gonzalez for a 4-0 lead.

                WNCC continued it's offensive output with one in the fourth, two in the fifth, and three in the sixth. The fourth saw Zach Ostergard triple to right field and score on a Delgado double. The fifth saw Michaud single in Snyder before Krause scored Michaud.

                The sixth inning saw Delgado get a 2-run home run followed by back-to-back doubles by Snyder and Ryan Bender..

                Grant Piccolli picked up the win with five strong innings in scattering just two hits and giving up no runs. Piccolli struck out eight in his time on the mound. Felix Ojeda-Sanchez tossed the final two innings, allowing two hits and two runs.

                WNCC and McCook will play another doubleheader Sunday. The Cougars need to win both games to keep their playoff hopes alive. After Sunday, the Cougars will host Northeastern Junior College in a doubleheader on Monday.

First Game

WNCC                   300 104 3 -- 11 14 0

McCook               011 000 3 -- 5 11 2

WP -- Challis Wright; 2B -- Alex Michaud, Pablo Garcia, Nick Vanthillo 2; HR -- Ozzy Gonzalez.

Second Game

WNCC                   112 123 0 -- 10 16 2

McCook               000 001 1 -- 2 4 2

WP -- Grant Piccolli; 2B -- Cameron Snyder 3, Anthony Delgado, Ryan Bender; 3B -- Zach Ostergard; HR -- Delgado.

WNCC softball rallies in seventh to drop Garden City

                 Western Nebraska Community College pitchers Bianca Duran and Shelby McGraw combined on a first-game perfect game and the Cougars recorded their fourth straight shutout in dropping North Platte Community College 8-0 and 23-0 Friday afternoon at Volunteer Field.

                WNCC, 48-8, pounded out 31 hits, including 15 extra base hits, in the two wins.

                WNCC sophomore Kayla Romey said it was a complete team effort, including an outstanding performance from the pitching staff.

                "We did well both offensively and defensively. We came up with some big plays when we needed them. As far as hitting, we did really well. We strung our hits together and did the simple things right."

                As much as the offense was clicking, the defense made plays, including Ramey preserving the perfect game bid by throwing out a runner from right field to first base. Pitching was also stellar as Duran, McGraw and RaVae Herrera game up just three hits in the two games.

                "The pitching staff did really well. They were moving the ball and that is what we want," Romey said. "That [great pitching] helps our defense and they did really well. We made big plays when we needed to and did the simple things and that is what counts."

                The first-game was a gem by Duran and McGraw. Duran went four innings in striking out six, while McGraw finished off the game with a 13-pitch fifth inning. Duran threw just 45 pitches in the first-game win.

                Offensively, the Cougars controlled the two contests from the start, scoring three times in the first on four hits. Kasey Cash and Jennifer Cottle each had doubles in the inning.

                WNCC closed out the game in the fourth with three runs as Romey singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Duran. Cash then doubled and scored on Cottle's home run.

                WNCC had three players finish with two hits each. Cottle went 2-for-2 with a double and a home run. She also had three RBIs and scored a run. Cash and Angel Council each pounded out two hits. Cash had two doubles and two runs scored, while Council had two RBIs and a run scored.

                Danielle Hearn and Lindsey Shiels-Brophy each had doubles in the first game.

                WNCC was even more explosive in the second game, getting 23 hits and 23 runs. The Cougars had two home runs, a triple and six doubles in the win.

                The second game was put away early as WNCC held an 8-0 lead after one and a 13-0 lead after two. WNCC's explosive offense was a combination of a variety of hits. An run-scoring double by Cottle, a walk by McGraw, a two-run single by Shiels-Brophy, two-run triple by Hearn, and a two-run single by Duran helped the Cougars to the 8-0 first inning lead.

                WNCC added five more runs in the second as Hearn had a two-run double and Duran blasted a three-run home run by Duran to push the score to 13-0. WNCC added seven runs on five hits in the third, including a 2-run double by by Mariah Shepherd and a run-scoring double by Cash.

                The Cougars added three more runs in the fourth as Shiels-Brophy led off with a solo home run followed by a double by Hearn and singles by Duran and Nicole Weiss.

                Shiels-Brophy and Hearn each went 4-for-4 in the game. Sheils-Brophy had four RBIs, four runs scored, and a home run, while Hearn had five RBIs, four runs scored, two doubles, and a triple.

                Duran and Council each had three hits, while Cash, Mariah Shepherd, and Romey each had two hits. Duran finished the game with six RBIs, three runs scored, and a stolen base. Council had two runs scored, a RBI, and a stolen base, while Shepherd had a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored.

                Herrera and McGraw combined on a 3-hitter in the five-inning game. Herrera allowed two hits in three innings, while striking out two. McGraw went two innings with one strike out.

                WNCC will be back at home this weekend when they host Garden City Community College on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's contest starts at 1 p.m. and is dorm parent recognition day. Sunday's contest starts at 11 a.m. and will be sophomore recognition day as well as a dedication and public recognition to all the individuals that volunteered their time and materials to put up the new rest rooms at Volunteer field.

First Game

North Platte                       000 00 -- 0 0 1

WNCC                                   310 31 -- 8 12 0

WP -- Bianca Duran; 2B -- Kasey Cash 2, Jennifer Cottle, Danielle Hearn, Linsdey Shiels-Brophy; HR -- Cottle.

Second Game

North Platte                       000 00 -- 0 3 4

WNCC                                   857 3x -- 23 23 0

WP -- RaVae Herrera; 2B -- Cash 2, Cottle, Mariah Shepherd, Hearn 2; 3B -- Hearn; HR -- Duran, Shiels-Brophy. 

WNCC softball tops North Platte at home

                 [April 26] Western Nebraska Community College pitchers Bianca Duran and Shelby McGraw combined on a first-game perfect game and the Cougars recorded their fourth straight shutout in dropping North Platte Community College 8-0 and 23-0 Friday afternoon at Volunteer Field.

                WNCC, 48-8, pounded out 31 hits, including 15 extra base hits, in the two wins.

                WNCC sophomore Kayla Romey said it was a complete team effort, including an outstanding performance from the pitching staff.

                "We did well both offensively and defensively. We came up with some big plays when we needed them. As far as hitting, we did really well. We strung our hits together and did the simple things right."

                As much as the offense was clicking, the defense made plays, including Ramey preserving the perfect game bid by throwing out a runner from right field to first base. Pitching was also stellar as Duran, McGraw and RaVae Herrera game up just three hits in the two games.

                "The pitching staff did really well. They were moving the ball and that is what we want," Romey said. "That [great pitching] helps our defense and they did really well. We made big plays when we needed to and did the simple things and that is what counts."

                The first-game was a gem by Duran and McGraw. Duran went four innings in striking out six, while McGraw finished off the game with a 13-pitch fifth inning. Duran threw just 45 pitches in the first-game win.

                Offensively, the Cougars controlled the two contests from the start, scoring three times in the first on four hits. Kasey Cash and Jennifer Cottle each had doubles in the inning.

                WNCC closed out the game in the fourth with three runs as Romey singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Duran. Cash then doubled and scored on Cottle's home run.

                WNCC had three players finish with two hits each. Cottle went 2-for-2 with a double and a home run. She also had three RBIs and scored a run. Cash and Angel Council each pounded out two hits. Cash had two doubles and two runs scored, while Council had two RBIs and a run scored.

                Danielle Hearn and Lindsey Shiels-Brophy each had doubles in the first game.

                WNCC was even more explosive in the second game, getting 23 hits and 23 runs. The Cougars had two home runs, a triple and six doubles in the win.

                The second game was put away early as WNCC held an 8-0 lead after one and a 13-0 lead after two. WNCC's explosive offense was a combination of a variety of hits. An run-scoring double by Cottle, a walk by McGraw, a two-run single by Shiels-Brophy, two-run triple by Hearn, and a two-run single by Duran helped the Cougars to the 8-0 first inning lead.

                WNCC added five more runs in the second as Hearn had a two-run double and Duran blasted a three-run home run by Duran to push the score to 13-0. WNCC added seven runs on five hits in the third, including a 2-run double by by Mariah Shepherd and a run-scoring double by Cash.

                The Cougars added three more runs in the fourth as Shiels-Brophy led off with a solo home run followed by a double by Hearn and singles by Duran and Nicole Weiss.

                Shiels-Brophy and Hearn each went 4-for-4 in the game. Sheils-Brophy had four RBIs, four runs scored, and a home run, while Hearn had five RBIs, four runs scored, two doubles, and a triple.

                Duran and Council each had three hits, while Cash, Mariah Shepherd, and Romey each had two hits. Duran finished the game with six RBIs, three runs scored, and a stolen base. Council had two runs scored, a RBI, and a stolen base, while Shepherd had a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored.

                Herrera and McGraw combined on a 3-hitter in the five-inning game. Herrera allowed two hits in three innings, while striking out two. McGraw went two innings with one strike out.

                WNCC will be back at home this weekend when they host Garden City Community College on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's contest starts at 1 p.m. and is dorm parent recognition day. Sunday's contest starts at 11 a.m. and will be sophomore recognition day as well as a dedication and public recognition to all the individuals that volunteered their time and materials to put up the new rest rooms at Volunteer field.

First Game

North Platte                       000 00 -- 0 0 1

WNCC                                   310 31 -- 8 12 0

WP -- Bianca Duran; 2B -- Kasey Cash 2, Jennifer Cottle, Danielle Hearn, Linsdey Shiels-Brophy; HR -- Cottle.

Second Game

North Platte                       000 00 -- 0 3 4

WNCC                                   857 3x -- 23 23 0

WP -- RaVae Herrera; 2B -- Cash 2, Cottle, Mariah Shepherd, Hearn 2; 3B -- Hearn; HR -- Duran, Shiels-Brophy. 

WNCC baseball picks up big win against McCook at home

                {Aril 25] The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team scored the runs when they needed in claiming an Empire Conference game over McCook Community College 7-4 Thursday afternoon at Cleveland Field.

                The win was much needed for the Cougars as they keep that hope alive for the final playoff berth. The Cougars will now head to McCook for a four-game series this weekend before wrapping up the regular season Monday at home against Northeastern Junior College.

                John Timmins, who threw 6 2/3 strong innings before giving way to winning picture Challis Wright, said the team played well and they needed this win for confidence.

                "I thought we played really well. We kept the errors down which have been messing us up a lot," the freshman from Bellevue said. "We had good defense behind us [the pitchers] and we had guys come through with hits."

                What makes this win extremely pleasant is the team still has their eyes set on the playoffs, and if they can go on a seven-game winning streak, it not only could put them in the playoffs, but also make the team's season. 

                  "This is a good start to the weekend and we know what we have to do," Timmins said. "Winning the last seven games would be really amazing. As a team we are playing our best baseball. We are strong as a team. Getting these wins [to end the season] will really help, especially for the sophomores that have put in all the work."

                The Cougars won the game by responding with clutch hits throughout the contest. WNCC finished the game with just 10 hits, but the 10 hits came at key times.

                Zach Ostergard led the way from the plate with a 3-for-4 day with two RBIs, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

                WNCC also received two-hit performances from JT Core, Ozzy Gonzalez and Alex Michaud. Gonzalez finished with triple and a RBI, while Michard had a RBI and run scored.

                McCook jumped on the scoreboard first, scoring once in the first inning on three hits. The Cougars, however, came right back and answered. Delgado led off with a double and scored on a Gonzalez ground out to tie the game.

                WNCC went up 2-1 with a single run in the second as Michaud led off with a single and scored on a Ostergard single. The lead stayed that way until the sixth when Keeton Krause walked, stole second, moved to third on a passed ball, and finally scoring on a Nick Vantillo ground out.

                The Indians charged back scoring twice in the seventh on just one hit with two outs to tie the game at 3-3. Once again, WNCC immediately answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Gonzalez started things with a one-out triple and scored on a fielder's choice to shortstop to go back in front by a run.

                The Cougars put the game away in the eighth with three runs on four singles and a fielding error to go up 7-3, even though McCook made a ninth inning rally. Timmins said anytime a team can add late insurance runs, it makes the relief pitcher's job much easier.

                "It is a relief to get the late runs because it makes the pitcher's job easier that is coming in," he said. "You then know that if you happen to give them a run or two, you still can seal the game up."

                Wright picked up the win, tossing just 1 1/3 innings in relief, scattering three hits and striking out one. Timmins allowed seven hits and three runs in his work on the mound. Timmons also struck out five. Cedric Desmedt tossed the ninth in allowing two hits and one run.

McCook               100 000 201 -- 4 12 3

WNCC                   110 001 13x -- 7 10 2

WP -- Challis Wright; 2B -- Anthony Delgado; 3B -- Ozzy Gonzalez.

WNCC softball takes out NJC

               {April 24] STERLING, Colo. -- Jennifer Cottle had two home runs and the 19th-ranked Western Nebraska Community College softball team earned to shut-out wins over Northeastern Junior College 8-0 and 10-0 in conference action Wednesday in Sterling, Colo.

                The wins gives the Cougars the our right conference title with an 18-2 record and the No. 1 seed in next week's Region IX tournament. More importantly, the Cougars are now 46-8 on the season as they enter a 3-day home stand beginning Friday at Volunteer Field to close out the regular season.

                WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said the three pitchers performed well.

                "To go on the road and only give up four hits and get two shutouts on the day is huge for our staff," she said. "Bianca, RaVae and Shelby all threw very well for us today."

                What was even pleasing to the coach was how the team hit in windy conditions. WNCC combined for 27 hits in the two games.

                "To be able to put up 18 runs on board with the windy conditions blowing in was a success for us," she said. "We hit a lot of line drives and didn't leave a lot of runners on base. We just want to continue to play consistent softball both offensively and defensively."

                In the opener, Cottle came within a single of hitting for the cycle as Bianca Duran picked up her 30th win from the pitching circle in the 8-0 win.

                The Cougars dominated play in the opening game, finishing with 15 hits to the Plainswomen's three hits. Five different Cougars finished with multiple hits, including three hits each from Cottle, Kasey Cash, and Danielle Hearn.

                Cottle had the hot bat, nearly getting a cycle. The freshman from Lehl, Utah, had a run-scoring triple in the first inning, a double in the fourth inning, and a 2-run home run in the sixth inning. Cottle also scored two runs and had three RBis.

                Cash finished with two singles and a double, while scoring two runs and a RBI> Hearn had three singles. Cash's double came in the sixth, while McGraw had the only other extra base hit, getting a third-inning, run-scoring triple in the third inning.

                Mariah Shepherd and Kayla Romey also finished with two hits each. Shepherd scored two runs, had a RBI, and had two stole bases; while Romey had a run scored and a stolen base.

                Duran continued her dominating season with a three-hitter that saw the right-hander face just 21 batters in six innings, while striking out six.

                The second game was even more dominating, both offensively and from the circle. RaVae Herrera and McGraw combined on a five-inning, one-hitter that saw the two pitchers strike out four and face just 18 batters.

                WNCC finished with 12 hits, including five extra base hits. Cash led the way with a 3-for-4 game with two runs scored, two RBIs, a stolen base, and a double. Cottle, Hearn, and Haley Paxton each finished with two hits.

                Cottle went 2-for-4 with a double, home run, two runs scored, and four RBIs. She belted a 3-run home run in the fourth inning, and had a 2-run double in the first.

                Paxton finished with a double, and Duran had the other extra base hit, a solo home run in the fifth. Cash came through with a 2-run double in the second, Paxton had a double in the Fourth.

                WNCC will be in action Friday when they host North Platte at 1 p.m. in a doubleheader. They will then have dorm parent day on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Garden City Community College. The Cougars will wrap up the regular season on Sunday in sophomore day at 11 a.m. against Garden City.

First Game

WNCC                   302 003 -- 8 15 0

NE Colorado       000 000 -- 0 3 0

WP -- Bianca Duran; 2B -- Kasey Cash, Jennifer Cottle; 3B -- Cottle, Shelby McGraw; HR -- Cottle.

Second Game

WNCC                   321 31 -- 10 12 2

NE Colorado       000 00 -- 0 1 0

WP -- RaVae Herrera; 2B -- Cash, Cottle, Haley Paxton; HR -- Cottle, Duran.

                

WNCC baseball falls twice to Lamar in April

                LAMAR, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College dropped a Empire Conference doubleheader to No. 7 Lamar Community College on Sunday.

                In the opener, the Cougars managed just three hits while giving up seven early runs to fall 10-1. The nightcap saw the Cougars fall behind early and dropped a 12-3 contest.

                The losses drops the Cougars to 7-16 in conference play and two games behind Trinidad State Junior College, who holds the fourth and final playoff spot. The Trojans are 9-16 on the year after splitting with McCook on Sunday.

                The Cougars return to action Wednesday when they host Northeastern Junior College in a doubleheader at Cleveland Field. NJC sets in second in conference play at 17-7, just two games behind Lamar, who has a 23-5 conference record.

                WNCC got behind the 8-ball early in both games on Sunday. In the opener, WNCC got on the board first with a single run in the first as Oswaldo Gonzalez scored off a Pablo Garcia single.

                After that, though, Lamar scored seven runs in the first two innings to build a 7-1 lead and cruised to the 10-1 win.

                Grant Rimington took the loss on the mound. The Gering High product went just 1 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs on seven hits, including two home runs. Jason Palser finished off the game, tossing 4 2/3 innings and gave up just three runs on four hits, while striking out seven.

                WNCC managed just three hits in the contest. Cameron Snyder had two of the three hits.

                WNCC played better in the second game early on. Lamar took a 4-0 lead after two innings, but the Cougars came right back scoring two in the third on one hit, a run-scoring single by Keeton Krause.

                After that, though, Lamar would score eight more runs over the next four innings to get the win.

                WNCC had eight hits in the contest. Gonzalez and Krause each finished with two hits each. Gonzalez had a home run in the game, while Delgado had a double.

                Nick Vanthillo took the loss, tossing three innings and allowing seven runs on seven hits. Cedric tossed two innings in allowing three runs on four hits, while Richard Hernandez went one inning, fiving up two runs on a hit.

First Game

WNCC                   100 000 0 -- 1 3 4

Lamar                    430 201 x -- 10 11 0

LP -- Grant Rimington.

Second Game

WNCC                   002 010 0 -- 3 8 4

Lamar                    042 123 x -- 12 12 1

LP -- Nick Vanthillo; 2B -- Anthony Delgado; HR -- Oswaldo Gonzalez.