Cougar baseball team splits with Trinidad in two wild games at Cleveland Field on Sunday

It was a wild Sunday at Cleveland Field on Sunday between Western Nebraska Community College and Trinidad State Junior College. The two teams combined for 45 runs and 54 hits as the two teams split a doubleheader.

Trinidad raced to a 9-2 lead and then held on for the 12-8 first game victory. The second game saw the Trojans vault to a 10-3 lead and then saw the Cougars score 10 straight runs to grab the 13-12 win.

The second game saw some big hits, but none were bigger then JC Perez' 2-run bomb in the third inning and then Eneldis Vazquez' 3-run shot in the fifth to bring the Cougars back to grab a 12-11 lead.

WNCC added another run in the sixth as Gilbert Gonzalez walked and scored for the 2-run lead. Trinidad came back and scored one run in the seventh and the tying and winning runs at the corners before WNCC's closer Dan Bauer shut the door on the Trojan oomeback earning a split of the two games.

Several players had multiple hits for the Cougars. Vazquez led the way with a 3-for-4 day including a home run and three runs scored and four RBIs. Perez was also 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. Also, Daniel Martinez was 2-for-4 with two singles, two runs scored and a walk and Travis Lindhorst was 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI.

Lindhorst also had a huge game in the first game. The Gering graduate went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a single. Lindhorst also had three runs scored and two RBIs. Also for the Cougars in the first game, Chris Hook had a big fourth-inning 2-run double; Perez was 3-for-5 with three singles, and Martinez was 2-for-3 with two doubles, one RBI, one run scored and two walks.

The Cougars will be back in action Wednesday when they host McCook Community College in a 2:30 start at Cleveland Field. WNCC now stands 18-17 on the year and still holds the lead in the Empire Conference with a 11-5 record over Lamar Community College and Northeastern Junior College.

WNCC softball splits with North Platte

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team split a doubleheader with North Platte Community College on Sunday. The Cougars fell 4-0 in the first game and then came back and downed North Platte 12-2 on a 3-run walk-off home run by Lauren Mills.

In fact, the Cougars victory in the second game was dramatic. Before that game, the Cougars had 19 innings of scoreless innings. After two innings in the second game against North Platte, that streak ballooned to 21 innings. Finally, the Cougars broke the ice and once they did, they rattled off 12 runs on 15 hits.

Things started in the third inning as Whittany Foster rocketed a double off the fence. After an error to put Jessica Ventoza on base, and with two outs, the Cougars recorded three straight hits by Kara Ryman, Jessie McNabb an Ashley Eichelberger for a 3-1 lead.

WNCC added another run in the fourth as Lauren Bourdon scored. They then put up four runs in the fifth inning as McNabb and Eichelberger recorded singles followed by Amanda Torimaru loading the bases after being plunked by a pitch. Bourdon and Foster followed with back-to-back 2-run scoring doubles to push the lead to 8-1. All the Cougars needed was one more run to call the game because of the 8-run rule, but they couldn't get the run across.

That allowed North Platte to score one run in the sixth inning, but it also gave Lauren Mills an opportunity for some dramatics in the bottom of the inning. After Eichelberger and Torimaru recorded back-to-back singles, Bourdon loaded the bases by getting hit by a pitch. Foster then came through with a run-scoring groundout followed by Mills' towering home run that easily sailed over the scoreboard in left field to end the game.

WNCC, 24-15, will next be in action Monday when they face McCook Community College on the road. After that, they will face McCook in their last home game on Friday.

WNCC, Trinidad split games Saturday

Western Nebraska Community College's Richie Stewart didn't want to lose twice to Trinidad State Junior College Saturday at Cleveland Field.

After the Cougars dropped their first game 8-2, Stewart responded with a 3-for-3 performance, which included the game-winning hit in the sixth inning for the 5-4 win. Stewart also scored two runs in the nightcap.

"We got some really good clutch hits. Richie Stewart has been a guy for us all season long and he got one today with two outs," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "Offensively, we have been able to do that most of the season and come up with some big hits when we needed to."

WNCC still sits atop the Empire Conference standings with a 2-game lead over Lamar. WNCC is 10-4 in regional play after the split on Saturday. Lamar and Northeastern Junior College split a doubleheader Sunday as NJC won the first game 2-0 before Lamar won the second 2-0. WNCC and Trinidad will be back at Cleveland Field today at noon for another doubleheader.

"It's two more big games and the pressure isn't going to let up," Jones said. "We have to get some good pitching. [Greg] Crowe and [Todd] Stachura have been good for us throughout the season and I hope to see that Sunday. It will be important for us to come out and shut their offense down for a while and allow us to score some runs early."

The Cougars played better in game two compared to the opener, where they managed seven hits and left several runners in scoring position. In the second game WNCC also had seven hits, but took advantage of five Trinidad State walks for the win.

WNCC had a 2-1 lead after one inning before Trinidad forged ahead 3-2 after two. The Cougars knotted things up after Stewart hit a one-out single. A walk followed Stewart's single and Gilbert Gonzalez's single loaded the basesa. Chris Hook then came through with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

It stayed that way until the fifth when WNCC struck for a single run. Stewart started things again with a single and then scored from third after a pick-off play to second base sailed to centerfield to take a 4-3 lead.

Trinidad came back with one run in the sixth to tie the game but the Cougars came answered by manufacturing the winning run. JC Perez led off by drawing a walk. Perez stole second and then Travis Lindhorst laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Perez to third.

With two outs, Stewart came through with a shot up the middle to score Perez with the winning run.

Dan Bauer pitched the seventh inning, striking out two and walking one to get the save.
Eric Bissonette, who pitched the sixth inning, picked up the win in relief of Jeff McDonald.
Stewart led the Cougars from the plate with three hits. Gonzalez also finished with multiple hits, getting two singles and an RBI.

WNCC couldn't get anything going in game one as Trinidad pitcher Shawn Burnette pitched a gem, allowing just one run and six hits in six innings of work. Burnette struck out three Cougar batters.

"Burnette pitched a real good ball game," Jones said. "He mixed it up and was throwing back-to-back change-ups against us and was throwing some off-speed stuff on us. He wouldn't let us settle in and find a good pitch to hit."

The Cougars' Phillips Orta took the loss but pitched well for four innings. He struck out five and allowed two hits and one run, but it was the fifth inning that did Orta in as he allowed three runs on two hits. He also walked three and hit one batter in the inning.

Trinidad added another four runs in the sixth inning on five straight hits to take an 8-1 lead.
Perez paced the Cougars from the plate with a 3-for-3 performance including a double. Also collecting hits for WNCC were Martinez, Lindhorst, and Pedro Suarez.

Game One
Trinidad 000 134 0 - 8 10 0
WNCC 000 010 1 - 2 7 0
WP - Burnette, LP - Orta; 2B - WNCC (Perez), Trinidad (Cody Henry, Christopher Solarek).

Game Two
Trinidad 120 001 0 - 4 5 2
WNCC (17-16) 201 011 x - 5 7 0
WP - Bissonette, LP - Mario Mattivi; 2B - Trinidad (Tyler Zonella).

Otero drops WNCC softball in doubleheader

It wasn't a good day offensively for the Western Nebraska Community College softball team Saturday in their doubleheader against Otero Junior College.

The Region IX leading Rattlers shut down the NJCAA fourth-best Cougar hitters in the tune of 4-0 and 12-0 victories, which gave Otero the right to host next months regional tournament.
As much as Otero delivered two shutouts Saturday, the Cougars had opportunities to break the ice.

Freshman Lauren Bourdon, who recorded one of the team's combined nine hits in the contests, said it's hard to explain what happened. All she knows is they need to put these two games behind them and come out today against North Platte Community College with fire.

"We just need to put these games behind us because it is in the past and you can't do anything about the past," she said. "We just need to all come together and beat them (Otero) when it counts at regionals. At their place we can beat them, we know we can, we just need to all come together like we usually do."

WNCC definitely will need offense in today's doubleheader against North Platte, which begins at 2 p.m. at Volunteer Field. It will also be sophomore appreciation day for the only two sophomores on the team Ashley Eichelberger and Jessica Ventoza. Bourdon said they have to be ready offensively.

"We have to come out to play for sure," she said. "We especially need to come out on our bats."
Saturday, it wasn't so much the team not getting base hits, it was a matter of stringing together enough hits to get a run across the plate.

In game one, the Cougars left the bases loaded in the second inning after getting back-t0-back walks and a single before stranding all three runners. Then, in the sixth, the Cougars started a rally as Amanda Hensley recorded her third single of the game followed by a 2-out walk by Torimaru. WNCC, though failed to score.

Otero, meanwhile, scored twice in the second and third, while pounding out four hits in those two innings. The blow was a solo home run by Megan Richardson in the third.

Natasha Dypchey took the loss, despite scattering seven hits while striking out nine. Dypchey also walked four in the seven innings.

Hensley led WNCC from the plate with a 3-for-3 performance, while Lauren Mills was 2-for-3.
Otero quickly took control in game two scoring six times in the first and two more in the second for an 8-0 lead. Otero added three more in the third inning as Richardson had a 2-run home run to put the Rattlers up 11-0.

WNCC managed just four hits in game two from Bourdon, Torimaru, Jessie McNabb, Kara Ryman.

The Cougars' best chance to break the goose-egg on the scoreboard came in the fifth inning. Torimaru started things with an one-out single followed by a Bourdon single up the middle, but that was as close as they could get to scoring.

Dypchey took the loss going 2 2/3 innings and giving up 11 runs on 11 hits. Jessica Pexton then finished off the game holding Otero to just one run and two hits, while striking out two. WNCC, 23-14, will have one more home game after today's contest when they host McCook Community College on Friday in a rescheduled game.

Game One
Otero 022 000 0 - 4 7 0
WNCC 000 000 0 - 0 5 2
WP - Jessie Lessard, LP - Dypchey; 2B - Otero (Stephanie Quintana); HR - Otero (Ricahrdson).

Game Two
Otero 623 10 - 12 14 0
WNCC 000 00 - 0 4 2
LP - Dypchey; 2B - Otero (Becca Diede, Jeana Hancock); HR - Otero (Richardson).

WNCC Cougar Golf Classic set for June 9

Western Nebraska Community College’s athletic department will host the fourth annual Cougar Golf Classic Saturday, June 9 at Monument Shadows Golf Course.

The event is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $50 per person, and there is a limit of 36 teams. Entry deadline is June 1. The entry fee includes green fees, cart and a Runza lunch. All proceeds will benefit athletic and Ron Brillhart scholarship funds.

There will be a payout for first, second and third places. There will also be hole-in-one prizes sponsored by Scottsbluff Screenprinting, Safetyline Consultants and Roy’s Plumbing and Heating, as well as hole prizes.

Registration forms can be picked up at the college and Monument Shadows Golf Course.

Hole sponsorships are available for $100, as well as a Fairway and Green Sponsorship.

For more information on the golf classic or for sponsoring opportunities, contact athletic director Jennifer Pedersen at 308-635-6798 or Pedersen@wncc.net.

WNCC softball claims two from Dawson Thursday

Natasha Dypchey pitches against Trinidad State earlier this season. Dypchey pitched a complete game, shutout against Dawson Community College on Thursday

Dypchey, Pexton pick up wins in the circle in 8-0, 13-6 wins

Natasha Dypchey not only shutout Dawson Community College from the circle, but she also provided plenty of offense from the plate in helping the Cougars to an 8-0 game one win against Dawson in Glendive, Mont.

WNCC finished off Dawson in game two collecting 13 runs on 16 hits for the 13-6 win to run their record to 23-12 overall, just five wins from setting a new school record for most wins in a season. The team also improved to 13-3 in Region IX play heading into this weekend’s games at home against Otero Junior College and North Platte Community College.

WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff was pleased with how her team played for not playing a game in over a week.

“It is nice to be back on the field and playing,” she said. “The first game we played pretty good and in the second game we played really well going into the sixth inning and the we lost focus and let them score five runs. But, then we came bounced back in the seventh and shut the door.”

WNCC controlled game one from the get-go, especially behind the 6-hit, 3-strikeout pitching of Dypchey.

Offensively, the Cougars were just as sharp in the cold, snowy weather in Montana, where they quickly took control with two runs in the first and one in the second for a 3-0 lead. WNCC added to the lead with two runs in the fourth on singles by Dypchey, Lauren Bourdan and a 2-RBI double by Jessica Ventoza.

WNCC added another run in the fifth and then posted two wins in the seventh on four hits. The big hits were RBI singles by Dypchey and Ashley Eichelberg.

Ventoza went 3-for-3 from the plate with three RBIs and a run scored followed by Dypchey with a 3-for-4 performance and two runs scored. Amanda Hensley also went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a RBI.

WNCC continued swinging a hot bat in game two, pounding out 16 hits. Like the first, the Cougars struck early, scoring three times in the first and four times in the third to hold a 7-1 lead after three.

The Cougars added another run in the fifth as Bourdan unleashed a solo home run to put the team up 8-1. WNCC added another four runs in the sixth inning to hold a commanding 12-1 lead.

Dawson sliced the lead in half, scoring five times in the sixth inning, but it wasn’t good enough as Pexton came back out in the seventh inning shut down the Bucs’ bats.

Pexton picked up the win going seven innings while scattering eight hits and striking out three.

Jessie McNabb paced the Cougars from the plate with a 4-for-5 performance, including three runs scored, two RBIs and two doubles. Eichelberger finished the game with a 3-for-4 performance including two runs scored, two RBIs and three singles, while Ventoza went 2-for-5 with a run scored and three stolen bases.

Winn-Ratliff said that the one area that she was extremely pleased with was the team’s baserunning, where they were 8-for-8 on the day. Ventoza finished the day with four stolen bases to pace the Cougars.

The Cougars will next be in action Saturday when they host Region IX leading Otero Junior College at 2 p.m. at Volunteer Field, followed by a home contest against North Platte Community College on Sunday.

Game 1
WNCC 210 210 2 – 8 14
Dawson 000 000 0 – 0 6
WP – Dypchey (16-5); 2B – Ventoza, Hensley.

Game 2
WNCC (23-12) 304 014 1 – 13 16
Dawson (4-22) 001 005 0 – 6 8
WP – Pexton (7-5); 2B – McNabb 2; HR – Bourdon.

WNCC baseball clips Colorado State 4-2

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball jumped above the .500 mark for the first time this season after earning a 4-2 win over Colorado State University Tuesday evening at a chilly Cleveland Field.

WNCC is now 16-15 on the season. The Cougars will play Trinidad State in a key, four-game series Saturday and Sunday.

"This is not baseball weather, but it was good for us to get a chance to play before we play Trinidad," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "It is a big weekend for us coming up so it was important for us to get back into the game speed a little bit."
Jones and the Cougars were also glad they had the opportunity to get on the field since weather has forced several postponements.

"We had that real bad cold snap and we couldn't do much. We gave the guys plenty of time off and it was just important for us to get out and play again," he said. "We just needed to see pitching and we had nine pitchers that went out there and got to face live hitters. It was just good for us get back into action."

Even with the extended delay between games, the Cougar pitching staff sparkled by combining for 13 strikeouts in the nine-inning game. Ilich Santos picked up the win and nine total pitchers went to the mound each inning.

"I was really proud of the way all nine of our guys went out and threw today," Jones said. "It is cold. They got prepared down in the bullpen and they took their time and they did what they needed to do to get ready to pitch."

The pitching staff was stellar as five different pitchers struck out at least two batters in one inning of work - Phillips Orta, Stantos, Cesar Perez, Eric Bissonette and Dan Bauer - each fanned at least two. The staff also scattered seven hits and walked just five batters.

While the pitchers were flourishing, the Cougars' bats quickly took command of the game by scoring three runs in the first inning on one hit and four walks. The big hit in the inning was a double by JC Perez, which scored two runs.

Both teams added one run in the fifth inning. Colorado State scored on a leadoff walk and then a two out single by Caleb Bond.

WNCC responded in the bottom of the frame. Pedro Suarez led off the inning by reaching base on a throwing error. Two batters later, Suarez scored on an Eneldis Vazquez groundball out for a 4-1 lead.

Colorado State sliced the lead in half with a run in the eighth inning, but the Cougars' final two pitchers, Chris Cuadra and Dan Bauer, shut down the Rams' by striking out three of the final six batters.

WNCC managed five hits on the night. Perez went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs to lead the team. The other hits came from Daniel Martinez, Richie Stewart, Carson Cook and Travis Lindhorst.

The Cougars, who have won three straight, will look to keep winning this weekend against Trinidad State in Empire Conference games. WNCC sets on top of the conference standings at 9-3 followed by Lamar at 10-4 and Northeastern Junior College at 8-4. The winner of the conference hosts regionals in May.

"These are really big games for us," Jones said about the Cougars' doubleheaders with Trinidad State. "We have a chance to take some big strides in the conference standings. We're in the driver's seat right now and we just have to make sure we play our game."

CSU  000 010 010 - 2 7 3
WNCC (16-15) 300 010 00x - 4 5 2
WP - Stantos, LP - Bobby Moller. 2B - WNCC (Perez). 

Harlem Globetrotters invade Cougar Palace

Huntington, Merkey sign with WNCC women's soccer

Huntington, Merkey sign with WNCC soccer

Western Nebraska Community College women’s soccer coach Todd Rasnic will be adding more talent to next year’s team after signing two soccer players recently.

Lara Merkey of Windsor, Colo., and Terri Huntington, of Bluffdale, Utah, are two of the first signings for Rasnic for next year with more signings announced next week.

Both players bring plenty of soccer experience to the Cougar soccer program, which went 6-8 last season in its first season back after being suspended for a season.

Huntington comes to the Cougars from Riverton High in Utah, where she was first team all-region her junior year and second team all-state as a goalkeeper. Huntington, a 5-foot-8 3-sport star, decided to come to WNCC because of three reasons.

“It sounded like they have a good nursing program and will have a good soccer team. Also, my best friend [Kiwi Wiegert] plays there,” she said. “I am hoping to become a better keeper and have a fun time as I get closer to my degree.”

Merkley also brings plenty of soccer talent to the team. Merkey, who also ran track and field at Windsor High, lettered four years in soccer and double lettered in both soccer and track for two seasons. Merkey, who is just 5-1 and plays defense, was also looking at the University of Northern Colorado.

“I really liked the coach and was offered a scholarship to play,” she said. “It will also get me to where eI want to be in two years.”

Merkey, who is planning on majoring in journalism, said one of the reasons she choice WNCC was because of the friendliness of all the people at WNCC.

“The campus is really nice and the gym is amazing,” she said. “The weight room is also very nice, and I also enjoyed looking at the future field I will be playing on.”

Merkey had many highlights during her playing days for Windsor, including being the only freshman on the varsity team to letter.

“I was also one of the captains this year and I will remember the girls I have played with,” she said. “Also, I remember being in the newspaper at least once every year for games against Greeley West.”

Huntington also had many highlights including getting a chance to play the field in some games besides being in net.

“I always loved to play field when our team would get up enough to let me out of goal,” she said. “We were playing a team that wasn’t good so I was able to play field and everyone always thought it was cool when I would get close to scoring because I was a keeper. Well, we had a penalty kick and I got to take it. As the referee sat the ball down, he put it in a hole. I didn’t know I could move it so I didn’t think much more about the ball, just where I was going to shoot it and how to play the little tricks on the keeper. Everyone was ready and as I go to kick it, I tripped on the ball and it didn’t go anywhere but a few inches.”

Huntington was stellar in net helping the Silverwolves to a 10-7 before falling in the first round of the 5A state tournament last fall.

More women’s soccer signings will be announced in the coming weeks.

WNCC men take over top spot in region play

The Western Nebraska Community College moved on top of the Empire Conference standings after taking three of four games from Northeastern Junior College Sunday and Monday.

Sunday’s games in Sterling, Colo., saw the two teams split games with WNCC claiming a 7-5, 8-inning barn-burner in the opener before NJC earned a 7-1 win in the nightcap.

WNCC rebounded by sweeping a doubleheader Monday 2-1 and 6-4 to jump into first place in the conference race. The Cougars now control their own destiny in the bid to win the conference and host the Region IX tournament in May.

WNCC coach Mike Jones couldn’t be prouder of his team’s effort in moving into first place in conference standings.

“It feels really good leading the region. We played the best two teams in the conference to this point and we are on top right now,” he said. “I feel it will be in our hands from here on out. We will have to continue to play good baseball and nobody will give it to us. It is out there for us to take and we will have to play ball.”

One off the keys for the Cougars to gain sweep on Monday was good pitching. They received that from Greg Crow and Todd Stachura, both freshman. WNCC claimed the first game behind a stellar pitching performance by Crowe, the right-handed flame-thrower from Parker, Colo., who baffled the Plainsmen bats in scattering four hits while striking out four in seven innings of work.

“Going into this weekend, it was a pretty important series. We knew we had to get some good pitching. Greg Crowe came out and threw an outstanding game for us. He controlled their offense and shut them down and went the distance.

But, while Crowe was throwing a gem for the Cougars, NJC’s Ty Cardona was also causing havoc on the mound. Cardona allowed six hits while striking out three batters. The difference in the game was WNCC got clutch hits when needed to get the win.

“We got some really clutch hits. Carson Cook was clutch for us this whole weekend,” Jones said. “That is important. When you get guys on base, you have to find ways to get them in. We have been real good about that lately with a good offense that finds ways to score some runs.”

WNCC scored first as JayC Perez led off the second with a double. Three batters later, Chris Hook hit a ground ball that scored Perez with the first run of the game.

NJC tied the game in the fifth on a walk and a 2-oiut single by Mike Mendenhall. WNCC won the game in dramatic fashion in the sixth inning. With two outs, Richie Stewart hammered a double to right field. Stewart was the lifted for pinchrunner Alexis Gomez. After a walk to Perez, Carson Cook took the first pitch and lined it to the outfield to score Gomez with the go-ahead run.

Crowe then finished off the Plainsmen in the seventh inning with three gourndball outs and a double by Josh Warren.

Stewart paced the Cougars with two hits.

Stewart continued his torrid hitting in game two. The sophomore from Lincoln opened the scoring with a 3-run home run in the third inning for a 3-0 lead. Jones said that shot was crucial.

“That home run was really big for us. That put us up 3-0 and gave us a lot of momentum. Once we got that momentum, our team felt pretty confortable. They were able to come back and take the lead on us 4-3, but there was no panic in our dugout and on our team. We came right back out and put up three more runs.

In deed NJC came back scoring four times in the fourth inning on three hits and three walks. Most of the damage came with two outs as Warren hit a bases-loaded single to score two runs to give NJC a 4-3 lead.

The lead didn’t last long as WNCC came right back with a three spot in the bottom of the fourth. Gilbert Gonzalez started things with a single followed by a walk by Travis Lindhorst. Then, with two outs, Pedro Suarez delivered a 2-RBI single, followed by Stewart’s monster run-scoring double that put WNCC up 6-4.

Chris Cuadra then came in relief of winning pitcher Todd Stachura in the fifth inning and kept the Plainsmen at bay for two innings. Then, Dan Bauer closed the game picking up the save with quick work of NJC’s No. 3, 4 and 5 batters, including getting the final out on a slider that Danny Brock couldn’t hit for the final out.

WNCC managed 10 hits for the game. Stewart led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, including a double, home run, three RBIs and a run-scored. Suarez also collected two hits, including three RBIs and two runs scored.

In Sunday’s games, WNCC scored three times in the eight-inning to collect the win. Phillips Orta went six innings to get the no-decision while allowing four runs, seven strikeouts and four hits. Chris Cuadra earned the win by pitching the seventh, while Bauer picked up the save.

Suarez led the Cougars offensively with a 3-for-4 performance, including two doubles and a run scored. Perez and Cook each had two hits. Perez had a home run, two runs scored and a RBI, while Cook had a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored.

NJC scored three times each in the third and fifth inning to earn the 7-1 win in game two. Jeff McDonald picked up the loss on the mound going just four innings, while giving up five hits and striking out three.

Marco Moreno paced the Cougars with a 2-for-3 performance with an RBI in the third inning. The only other hits by the Cougars came from Suarez, Stewart and Gonzalez.

WNCC, now 14-16 overall and 9-3 in conference play, will return to action Thursday when they face Colby Community College before taking on McCook Community College Friday and Saturday in McCook.

WNCC softball sweeps Trinidad State

Western Nebraska Community College’s Jessica Pexton helped pitch the Cougar softball team to a sweep of Trinidad State Junior College Monday evening.

Pexton threw a stellar game in game two, holding the Trojan bats to just three runs on seven hits as the Cougars won the 11-3. In the opener, WNCC came back from a 7-4 deficit to defeat Trinidad State 12-7.

“I think we played really good,” Pexton said. “We came together as a team at crucial times when we needed to and got two wins. This win will help get my confidence up and the girls really backed me up.”

Indeed the Cougars played well Monday, pounding out 27 hits in the doubleheader -- 11 in the first game and 14 in the second game. Pexton said this is a team that can hit throughout the lineup.

“Sometimes we have a struggle in an inning, but we came together and pulled out the win,” she said. “When we were down in the first game, we knew we had to just come back. We never die, never give in and we just kept coming back and hit the ball."

Trinidad jumped all over the Cougars in the opener grapping a 7-4 lead after two innings. WNCC came roaring back in the third scoring seven times on seven hits. The big blows was a two runs-scoring triple by Whittany Foster and then a run-scoring triple by Amanda Hensley to give the Cougars an 11-7 lead.

WNCC added an insurance run in the fifth inning as Kara Ryman unloaded on a pitch that hit the scoreboard for a home run.

In the meantime, Natasha Dypchey settled down in the final five innings holding the Trojans to just three hits to get the win. Hensley, Ryman and Ashley Eichelberger all finished with two hits for the Cougars. Hensley went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and a RBI, Ryman went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and a RBI, and Eichelberger was 2-for-4 with two singles, two runs scored and a RBI.

WNCC quickly took control in the second game, bolting to a 5-0 lead after one inning. Jessica Ventoza led things off with a triple followed by a double by Lauren Mills. WNCC’s six-hit first-inning attach continued as Amanda Torimaru had a two-out single followed by a 2-RBI double by Foster and a run-scoring single by Pexton for the 6-0 lead.

Trinidad came back with three runs in the second inning on an error and three singles, but Pexton avoided further damage by striking out one and getting the two fly balls to get out of the inning. After that, Pexton sailed though the rest of the game, allowing just two hits.

“This win will help get my confidence up,” Pexton said. “The girls really backed me up.”

The rest of the team really came forward after Trinidad cut the lead to 5-3. WNCC responded with four runs in the second and two in the fifth to end the game on the 8-run rule. In the fifth inning, Ventoza led off with a single followed by a run-scoring double by Mills. Hensley then single to left-field that scored Mills with the game-ending run.

Mills led the team with a 4-for-4 performance, including two doubles, three runs scored and an RBI. Eichelberger was also perfect in the game with three hits, including a triple, two runs scored and two RBIs. Hensley and Ventoza also collected multiple hits in the win.

Pexton said the second game win was crucial after dropping the second game to North Platte on Sunday 4-2.

“I think we stayed focused the entire way in the second game,” she said. “Sometimes we lose a little bit of focus but we kept it together this game.”

On Sunday, the Cougars split with North Platte Community College claiming the first game 2-1 in eight innings before falling 4-2 in the second game. WNCC outhit North Platte 21-10 in the game, but left 17 runners on base.

In the first-game win, WNCC scored single runs in the sixth and eighth innings. The Cougars tied the game in the sixth as Ventoza singled and scored on a Hensley single. In the eighth, Torimaru started things with a 2-out single and scored on a Mills single for the win.

Hensley, Eichelberger and Mills each collected two hits for the Cougars. Dypchey picked up the win, striking out six and scattering four hits in eight innings of work.

North Platte scored three times in the fifth inning to take a 4-1 lead and held on for the win. Dpychey picked up the loss in the circle striking out three and allowing six hits.

Eichelberger paced the Cougars from the plate with a 3-for-4 performance followed by Jessie McNabb with a 2-for-4 performance and a run-scored.

WNCC, 21-12 on the season, will next be in action Friday when they travel to Dawson Community College in Glendive, Mont.

WNCC softball splits with North Platte

The WNCC women's softball team split with North Platte Community College Sunday on the road. The Cougars won the first game 2-1 as Natasha Dypchey picked up the win. WNCC couldn't keep the momentum going falling in the second game 4-2 as Dypchey took the loss.

The Cougars will return to action Monday when they host Trinidad State Junior College in a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. at Volunteer Field.

Baseball games with NJC changed

If anyone is wondering there is no activity at Cleveland Field on Sunday, it is because the games were changed to Sterling, Colo., because of the recent snowfall. Northeastern Junior College and WNCC are in a battle for the Region IX lead and Sunday's games will be played in Sterling at 1 p.m.

The two teams will return to Cleveland Field on Monday at 1 p.m. for the second set of games in the four-game series where first place in the Empire Conference is on the line. Because of the switch, the two team's game on April 25 will be played in Scottsbluff.

Moreno's calm under pressure

Baseball has always been in Marco Moreno's blood after growing up as a youngster in Cuba and Miami. Now, as the starting shortstop on the Western Nebraska Community College baseball team, it's no different.But while baseball is what Moreno lives for, he also realizes that school work come first.

"I found out grades are very important," Moreno said. "If you don't study, then you won't get to play. I almost didn't get to play because of that. I won't ever forget that and it won't happen again."

Moreno is now fulfilling his baseball and educational aspirations as a collegiate player and he's thankful for the opportunities.

"My mentality was always baseball and having fun. I never paid too much attention to school and I always procrastinated on my homework or had someone do it for me. It was always like that. I always got by with just enough," Moreno said. "I am here now and I know everything happens for a reason. I just have to take advantage of the opportunity and see where it leads me."

Moreno is taking full advantage of his opportunity and WNCC coach Mike Jones is impressed by what his freshman middle infielder has accomplished so far this season.

"To have a freshman step in and play it as well as he has played it has been a real nice surprise" Jones said. "I saw him at a tryout in Miami when I was down there for a 3-day recruiting visit and was real impressed with his footwork and his hands as a defensive player. Offensively, he has been a nice surprise because he has really grown as a hitter."

Moreno said that being a freshman on a sophomore-dominated starting lineup hasn't been too nerve-wracking. In fact, he thrives on the pressure.

"As a freshman at the beginning, there was a lot of pressure," Moreno said. "But I have always been in pressure situations and I always like to put pressure on myself. I feel it makes me perform a little bit better."

So far this season, Moreno has sparkled. He is hitting over .250 for the season with seven extra-base hits. He also came up with a big triple in the team's four-game sweep at Otero Junior College last weekend.

"Coach Jones has told me over and over that I have improved a lot defensively and with my hitting," Moreno said. "But there is always room for more improvement. We need to keep working hard as a team and individually."

Moreno and the Cougars will get another stern test this weekend when they host Region IX leading Northeastern Junior College in a key four-game series. The winner of the region will host the Region IX Tournament in May.

"These games are extremely big because they are first in our conference right now at 7-1 and we are 6-2," Moreno said. "If we don't take conference this year, it means that we slacked off and we should have worked harder. With us taking three out of those four games, we would be in first place."

Moreno said that it's been the Cougars' goal from the start of the season to host the regional tournament.

"It would mean everything and it has been one of our main goals since the beginning of the year to host regionals," he said. "But we are just going to take it one game at a time. There is nothing else you can do. Whatever happened in the past, happened already, so you put that behind you and just keep going."

After starting the season slow, the Cougars have vaulted to an 11-15 record and Moreno said the team is ready to make some noise in the conference.

"We have improved a lot as a team and individually. Our attitudes have changed and we know we have what it takes to win," Moreno said. "We have the talent and we have the heart, the commitment, and determination to win. It all depends on us not getting lazy or getting over confident. We have a great team and it will be a shame if we don't make it as far as we know we can make it."

Moreno is living proof that you learn from past mistakes and keep improving. As a youngster living in Cuba until he was nine years old, he realized how important baseball and schooling was. In Cuba, he said, if you didn't want to go to school, you didn't have to. Boxing and baseball means everything to the people of Cuba.

"Baseball in Cuba is like life. In Cuba you either box or play baseball, it is one of the two," Moreno said. "Baseball is a lot more competitive." While in Cuba, Moreno never played organized baseball. Instead, he and others would play with tennis balls or anything they could round up to play pick-up games with. When he and his family finally moved to Florida when he was 9, his life changed in other ways than baseball.

"At first it was a big change. The language at first was a big obstacle and having to get used to going to another school where it was mandatory was hard," Moreno said. "In Cuba, it was more like where if you didn't want to go to school, you didn't have to. "But in Florida, I've improved a lot playing baseball. When I first got here, I hardly knew how to throw or hit. My dad worked with me a lot. We would go out and play after he got off of work and I improved the first couple of [years] I was there."

Moreno continued to play baseball through high school while attending South Miami Senior High School where he earned second team all-Dade County MVP honors. He hopes someday to be taking his baseball talents to the next level. But for now, he is happy to learn more about the game at WNCC while getting an education.

"Like everybody else, I'd like to make it to the pros. That is what I am going to push for and if not I will get an education and stay close to baseball or sports or anything along that line," he said. "But it takes a lot of hard work [to get to the majors] and a lot of getting noticed But if others can do it, it gives everyone else a dream that we can do it, too."

First place on the line

(Note: story ran before the snow storm. Since then, the series locations changed. Sunday's games are at Sterling and Monday's games are at Cleveland Field.)

Submitted by Jeremy Woznick
By Star-Herald Sports Reporter
For more coverage on WNCC or area sports check out the Star-Herald either online or on the newstands six days a week.

Although it's still early in the Region IX baseball season, there's no denying the importance of this weekend's four-game series between the Western Nebraska Community College and Northeastern Junior College baseball teams.

Both teams enter the key series in the top two spots of the Region IX standings. With a 7-1 regional record, NJC sits atop the standings while WNCC is just one game behind with a 6-2 mark. The teams will square off in doubleheaders on both Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. at Cleveland Field in Scottsbluff.

"You hate to put too much emphasis on any one series, but considering we're the top two teams in the regional standings right now it looks to be pretty important on paper," said WNCC coach Mike Jones of the weekend series. "For us, we're just going to take it one game at a time and emphasize playing the best baseball we can."

Fresh off a four-game sweep of Otero Junior College last weekend, the Cougars have been playing their best baseball of the season as of late. A lot of that has been a result of strong pitching, which includes complete-game wins by starters Phillips Orta and Todd Stachura.After allowing no runs in a no decision in Arizona on March 17, Orta dominated Otero in his last start on Saturday. Stachura followed Orta with a complete-game gem on Sunday as the Cougars completed the four-game sweep of the Rattlers. WNCC also received key pitching performances last weekend from Greg Crowe and Dan Bauer.