Western District Baseball Photos

Western District Baseball Tournament Photos

Western District Baseball: Central Arizona and Western Nevada bring solid pitching to Cleveland Field

Western District Baseball Tournament
Thursday's Schedule (with pitching matchups)
1 p.m. -- Western Nebraska (Orta) vs. Central Arizona (Spence)
4 p.m. -- Central Arizona (Anson) vs. Western Nevada (Rohrbough)
7 p.m. -- Western Nevada (Garcia) vs. Western Nebraska (Cuadra)
Friday's Schedule (depending on Thursday's action) is at 7 p.m.
Saturday's if necessary game is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Central Arizona College enters the NJCAA Western District baseball tournament will a lot of tradition behind them, including a national championship.

The two WNCC ball clubs – Western Nebraska Community College and Western Nevada Community College – are on the opposite end, with both winning their first regional championship this year.

CAC coach John Wente said while they have won the national tournament before – in 2002 – and six regional titles, but this is actually they have competed in the 3-team district playoff format.

“I think we have to be one of the top junior college baseball programs and we have been very fortunate with some great players,” Wente said. “We [as a school] have been through this before. The kids haven’t obviously, but as a coaching staff we know what this is about. It definitely is not easy and we respect the teams that are here. It is always tough to go on the road and play at someone else’s house. That is a challenge, but it is a challenge that our program needed to make because the last couple of years we missed the playoffs, and it is a challenge to get our program back.”

Western Nevada coach D.J. Whittemore is just building the Wildcat program. This is the second year of baseball at WNCC and they are just glad to be playing for a Junior College World Series berth.

“Central Arizona has one of the best resumes of any team in the country. They have a great history and our program in just in the early stages,” he said. “We are really excited to be here and see how we match up with a couple of the nation’s powerhouses.”

Both teams bring fundamentally sound teams to Cleveland Field today for the round-robin format tournament. Central Arizona, 42-19, open against Western Nebraska at 1 p.m. and then play Western Nevada at 4 p.m. Western Nevada, 36-22-2, will also play Western Nebraska at 7 p.m.

Both coaches see pitching as a key in picking up a district tournament. “Our pitching staff is our strength,” Whittemore said. “We have good starting pitching and we have good depth in our bull pen. We really rely on our pitching and we play good defense behind them.

“In a 9-inning game, you need a good bullpen. We are used to playing 7-inning games and we are used to playing wood bat games, so this will be a different challenge for us. The key element will remain the same in trying to throw the low strike and swing at good pitches.”

The Wildcats enter with a team earned run average of 2.08 with five pitchers with a 2.00 or lower ERA. The team is led by Atlanta Braves’ draft pick Cole Rohrbough, who has a 9-3 record and a 1.31 ERA. He also struck out 113 in 85 innings of work. Rohrbough will get the nod on the mound against Central Arizona. Justin Garcia will get the start in the day’s final game against the Cougars.

Garcia picked up the for the Wildcats in the teams 6-4 win in the regional championship game against Community College of Southern Nevada, where he pitched six scoreless innings.

“Justin was excellent last weekend against CCSN and that had special meaning for him because in grew up in Las Vegas and went to high school there,” the coach said. “He was unrecruited by a community college in southern Nevada, so getting a chance to beat them in a regional championship was very rewarding for him and us.”

Central Arizona will also throw its top hurlers. Josh Spence will get the start against Western Nebraska, while Joe Anson will start against Western Nevada. Both bring sizzling ERAs to the park. Spence (12-3) has a 0.96 ERA with 139 strikeouts, while Anson (6-3) had a 1.92 ERA. As a team, the pitching staff has a 3.23 ERA with 418 strikeouts.

But, Wendt said they are not just solid at pitching, but have been excelling offensively and defensively as well. “We are good at all aspects. We are not great at any one aspect by any means,” he said. “We are pretty good defensively, we can hit the ball a little bit, and we can pitch a little bit. We are not outstanding in any area, but we play very well as a team and we are well coached. My assistant coaches do an outstanding job."

Even though Central Arizona comes into the Western District with a little bit of national tournament swagger in them, everybody realized the title is up for grabs.

“As a team we are very excited to be here because there are three teams left in our district and we are fortunate enough to be one of them,” Wendt said. “All three teams are playing really well right now. For us to win, we need to continue to make the plays defensively, pitch a little bit and score some runs when we need to. Being in this position before, it comes down to the team that executes the best for two or three days.”

Whittemore said they are just excited to be playing in Nebraska.

“We are like the other two teams here, we want to keep playing,” he said. “This group of guys enjoy being around each other, they enjoy the opportunity to play and travel on the road, and hopefully to be competitive this weekend.

“All year our goal was to be playing good baseball at the end of the year and try to get better every day. We have been able to do that to this point, but you are only as good as your next game. We are excited to play two quality teams and give it our best shot.”

MJCAA Western District baseball schedule set for this weekend

Cleveland Field will be filled with exciting baseball action this weekend as Western Nebraska Community College gets set to host the NJCAA Western District Tournament this weekend.

WNCC earned the right to host the 3-team playoff after winning their first Region IX baseball title. The winner of the playoff will advance to the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., May 26-June 2.

Western Nebraska will be joined in the tournament by Central Arizona College, the Region 1 winner, and Western Nevada Community College, the Region 18 winner.

Thursday’s action will be a round-robin format with Western Nebraska (29-27) facing Central Arizona (42-19) at 1 p.m. to open the district playoff. Then, Western Nevada (36-22-2) will take on Central Arizona at 4 p.m. The Cougars will then battle the other WNCC team, the Wildcats from Nevada, at 7 p.m. to finish out the day.

Friday’s and Saturday’s action will be determined by Thursday’s results. Friday’s game will be played at 7 p.m. while Saturday’s game will tip-off at 1 p.m.

Admission for the Western District is $6 for adults, and $3 for students, children and senior citizens.

WNCC's Cook, Suarez thrilled with regional title

Western Nebraska Community College’s Carson Cook and Pedro Suarez spent the last three years helping the Cougar baseball team try to win a Region IX title. Sunday’s victories in the regional tournament proved not only extra special for them, but for the team.

“I have been here three years now and this is the best this program has ever done in its history,” the catcher from Fremont said. “It gives us a chance to play together for another week as a family and a team. This is one of the best teams I have ever played on. We mesh together well. I think we will have a good chance at this district championship.”

The WNCC baseball team earned its first Region IX title in convincing fashion defeating Trinidad State Junior College that hard way in two games, defeating the Trojans 11-3 and 14-9 to push their record to 29-27 on the season.

In fact, it was a team effort as they received clutch pitching from starters Eneldas Vazquez and Chris Cuadra. They also pounded the ball with authority, registering 29 hits and 25 runs, including four home runs and six doubles.

Cook and Suarez said they had plenty of motivation, especially after Trinidad pushed the Cougars into the loser’s bracket with a 2-1 defeat on Friday.

“When we lost that game to Trinidad, it kind of killed us, but it also gave us fire,” Cook said. “We just couldn’t stop after that and won every game. Every body was up in the dugouts, every body was hitting, every body was playing great defense, and we just got set on fire. We wanted Trinidad back. We wanted to play them again and we ate them up.”

Suarez said that loss, lifted the team to a new level.

“We knew we just had to go out there and play,” the sophomore from Miami said. “There was no holding back because we couldn’t afford to lose a game. We just went out there to do what we had to do as a team as a whole, and got those two victories.”

What led the team to the victory was their all-around play from pitching, offense to defense. The team committed just two errors defensively on Sunday in 18 innings of play.

"It was a great team effort. The pitching was there. The defense was there. Offensively, it wasn’t just two or three guys; it was everybody getting their hits when they had to, getting on base and manufacturing runs for us.”

In the first game, the Cougars dominated from start to finish, scoring three runs in the second and fourth inning in racking up 12 hits. Daniel Martinez led the team offensively with a 4-for-4 game with a double, four RBIs and a run scored.

JC Perez also collected two hits, while Marco Moreno had a big 2-run home run. Eneldas Vazquez picked up the win throwing seven strong innings, scattering nine hits while striking out 12 and walking four.

Vazquez said the pitching staff held their own. “Winning felt very good and was very important to the team,” he said. “In this tournament we pitched a lot of innings because they were nine inning games. We just tried to do our best and worked hard all the time. We are tired from this tournament. We lost the second game and we worked really hard to win the title.”

The Cougars continued their stellar play in the championship dominating once again from start to finish. WNCC jumped out to a 7-3 lead after two innings and led 10-3 after four. Trinidad made a bold comeback, slicing the lead to 10-9, only to see WNCC score four runs cruise to the 14-9 victory.

WNCC pounded out 17 hits in the win, including five players with multiple hit games. Suarez paced the team with a 3-for-6 performance with two home runs, three runs scored and two RBIs. Perez also finished with three hits, including a home run, three RBIs and four runs scored.

Abraham Cervantez finished 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and a runs scored, while Vazquez and Richie Stewart each went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Vazquez also had three RBIs.

Cuadra picked up the win going five innings and allowing five hits and six runs. He also struck out two. Phillips Orta picked up the save, going 2 1/3 innings with three strikeouts.

Cook couldn’t say enough about the way the pitchers performed. “Every single pitcher pitched really well. They all did their job,” Cook, who caught nearly 60 innings in the tournament, said. “Pitching is one of our strongest points. We had enough pitching to last the entire tournament. We even could have played a few more games with the pitching we had left.”

First Game
WNCC 030 310 103 – 11 12 1
Trinidad 000 000 120 – 3 11 1
WP – Vazquez; 2B – Martinez, HR – Moreno.

Second Game
WNCC (29-27) 430 300 040 – 14 17 1
Trinidad (34-26) 300 013 200 – 9 8 1
WP – Cuadra, Save – Orta; 2B – Cervantes (2), Vazquez, Perez, Stewart; HR – Suarez (2), Perez.

WNCC baseball celebration Tuesday

WNCC will honor the Cougar baseball team Tuesday, at 9:50 a.m. with a celebration for winning the Region IX baseball tournament this past weekend. The celebration is open to the public and their will be refreshments and announcements made.

Come out and help celebrate the baseball team's first Region IX championship since the program was started in 2001.

WNCC REGION IX BASEBALL CHAMPS

LAMAR, Colo. -- It's official, the WNCC baseball team can call themselves Region IX champs after taking care of Trinidad State Junior College in two games on Sunday in the Region IX tournament in Lamar, Col0.

The Cougars earned the title by defeating Trinidad 11-3 and 14-9. It is the first Regional Championship for WNCC coach Mike Jones and the first for Cougar baseball since the program was started in 2001.

"It is a great feeling. I am extremely proud of these guys," Jones said. "They are an excellent group of people. it shows they care so much and there is no give up in them. I am very proud of them."

WNCC opened the day by beating the Trojans 11-3 behind the pitching of Eneldas Vasquez, who threw eight strong innings. The Cougars held a 7-0 lead after five innings.

That win pushed the Cougars into the if necessary game and they survived with a strong contest against the Trojans. WNCC led 7-3 after three innings before Trinidad sliced the lead to 1 at 10-9 after seven innings. The Cougars then scored four runs in the final innings for the win.

Chris Cuadra picked up the win. while Phillips Orta pitched the eighth and ninth innings to collect the save. The Cougars pounded out 17 hits in the second game.

For the day, the Cougars had four home runs. Pedro Suarez had two, while JC Perez and Marco Moreno each had one.

WNCC will now host the NJCAA District playoffs this week, Thursday through Saturday. Besides WNCC, Central Arizona College and Western Nevada Community College will make their way to Scottsbluff. Western Nebraska will enter with a 29-27 record, while the other WNCC team, Western Nevada, comes in with a 36-22-2 record. Central Arizona will venture to Cleveland Field with a 42-19 mark. Full bracket and times will be announced next week.

Here is a full recap of WNCC's scores in the Regional Tournament
Thursday
WNCC 4, Otero Junior College 3
Friday
Trinidad State 2, WNCC 1
WNCC 9, Lamar C.C. 6
Saturday
WNCC 4, McCook 2
WNCC 11, Northeastern Colorado 6
Sunday
WNCC 11, Trinidad State 3
WNCC 14, Trinidad State 9

Cougar baseball plays for Region IX title

Saturday's Scores
WNCC 4, McCook 2
Trinidad 6, NJC 5
WNCC 11, NJC 6
Sunday's Games
Noon -- Trinidad State vs. WNCC
3 p.m. -- Trinidad State vs. WNCC, if necessary

Special thanks to Jeremy Woznick, of the Star-Herald for taking the phone call.

LAMAR, Colo. — The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team will play for a Region IX championship after picking up two more wins Saturday in the Region IX tournament in Lamar, Colo.

The Cougars earned the right to play for the championship because of some outstanding performances. In the first game on the day, freshman Greg Crowe struck out nine in a 4-2 victory over McCook Community College. WNCC then defeated Northeastern Junior College 11-6 behind a 13-hit attack.

The wins advance the Cougars into a matchup with Trinidad State Junior College today at noon. The Trojans beat NJC 6-5 on Saturday and are unbeaten in the tournament. WNCC will have to beat the Trojans twice today to capture the tournament title.

“These guys have big hearts and they’re going to go out and give it everything they’ve got,” WNCC coach Mike Jones said. “I know they’re going to be tired. It’s going to be tougher on us than it will be on Trinidad, but I like their attitude and I think we have a great chance.”Against NJC, the Cougars erupted for nine runs on eight hits in the third inning to break the game wide open. Richie Stewart’s three-run double was one of a number of big hits in the inning.

Stewart, who went 2-for-4, was one of four Cougar hitters that finished the game with multiple hits. Daniel Martinez led WNCC’s hitting attack with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, including a double and three runs scored. Pedro Suarez added two hits and two runs scored and Abraham Cervantes finished the game going 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored.

Todd Stachura pitched eight strong innings to earn the victory on the mound. Stachura struck out eight before Chadron’s Eric Bissonette came out of the bullpen to pitch a scoreless ninth. Against McCook, Crowe didn’t need much offensive support as he struck out a career-high nine McCook hitters in eight innings of work. Dan Bauer worked the ninth to record the save.

Offensively, WNCC scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the second. The inning was highlighted by a run-scoring triple off the bat of Gilbert Gonzalez and a RBI-single from Cervantes. Both players went 2-for-4 in the contest.

Game 1
McCook 000 002 000 — 2 6 1
WNCC 040 000 00x — 4 8 0
WP — Greg Crowe; S — Dan Bauer. 3B — Gilbert Gonzalez.

Game 2
NJC 013 001 010 — 6 8 2
WNCC (27-27) 209 000 00x — 11 13 5
WP — Todd Stachura. 2B — Daniel Martinez, Richie Stewart.

WNCC still alive at regional tournament; defending champs eliminated from tournament

Friday's Scores
Northeastern Colorado 8, Lamar 6 (12 innings)
Trinidad State 2, WNCC 1
WNCC 9, Lamar 6
Saturday's Games
WNCC vs. McCook, 11 a.m.
NE Colorado vs. Trinidad State, 2 p.m.
Winner 11 a.m. vs. Loser 2 p.m., 5 p.m.
Sunday's Games
Championships Noon and if necessary 3 p.m.

LAMAR, Colo. — The Western Nebraska Community College baseball showed plenty of character during the second day of the Region IX baseball tournament in Lamar, Colo., and it was the bat of sophomore Abraham Cervantes, who belted two home runs and five RBIs, to keep the Cougars title hopes alive.

The Cougars opened the day falling in a heartbreaker to Trinidad State Junior College 2-1 in the winner’s bracket on a walk-off 2-run home run. WNCC quickly regrouped by eliminating host and defending champs Lamar Community College 9-6.

WNCC will play McCook Community College today in an elimination game at 11 a.m. If they win, they will face the loser of the Trinidad State and Northeastern Junior College at 5 p.m. The championship is slated for Sunday.

“A lot of teams would have folded after they [TSJC] hit that walk-off home run, but not this group,” WNCC coach Mike Jones said. “We have a group of guys with strong character, big heart, and they came right back and put up four runs in the first inning against the next game.

“Even though we split, I don’t know if it was the best I have ever seen us play, but it might be real close. I saw us play with a lot of heart and I saw us play great defense on both games and we played as a team.

The loss to Trinidad State was a heartbreaker not only for the team, but also for starting pitcher Phillips Orta. Orta went the distance, striking out 11. Trinidad State Jones said it was the best he has seen the sophomore right-hander throw.

The only difference was a two-out walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth that the Trinidad batter took a 1-2 count, slider out of the ball park.

“Our team was just crushed after that game,” Jones said. “But, oh my gosh, it was one of the best ball games I have seen. Their pitcher was good and ours was great.”

WNCC manufactured a run in the seventh inning. Travis Lindhorst led off with a walk and then went to second on a Daniel Martinez bunt. Lindhorst then went to third on a Pedro Suarez groundout, before scoring on a while pitch.

WNCC managed just six hits in the game – all singles. JC Perez was the only Cougar finish with two hits. Trinidad finished with four hits with two coming in the ninth inning.

WNCC quickly rebounded with authority against Lamar Community College, who lost a 12-inning thriller to Northeastern Colorado earlier in the day 8-6. Jones said his team came out hitting, collecting four hits and four runs in the opening inning.

Martinez started things by blasting a double followed by a Suarez single. Suarez then stole sec to put runners in scoring position. Perez came through with a 2-RBI single. Gilbert Gonzalez walked and then Cervantes reached base on an error to score Perez. Marco Moreno then singled in the fourth run.

Lamar came right back with three runs in the second inning to close the gap to 4-3, only to see the Cougars put up three runs in the third inning. Perez started things with a walk followed by a Gonzalez single. Cervantes then delivered a 3-run home run, the first of his two for the game. Cervantes came back with a 2-run blast in the 8th inning to put WNCC up 9-4.

“Abe was the difference in that game,” Jones said. “Abe was huge for us and those home runs carried us to the victory.”

The pitching also was stellar. Jeff McDonald picked up the win striking out eight, while Bauer took the save, while striking out two.

WNCC pounded out 10 hits on the day, led by Cervantes’ 3-for-4 day, which included five RBIs and two home runs. Also collecting extra base hits were Martinez and Suarez each with a double.

Jones said his team needs to keep the offensive cranked in today’s contest against McCook. Greg Crowe will get the start on the mound.

“We need to put up some runs on McCook and keep our offense rolling,” Jones said. “We need to have really good at bats and put up some runs, and give Crowe an opportunity to go out there and pitch.”

Jones doesn’t know what to expect from McCook today.

"I am curious who McCook is going to pitch,” he said. “Their right-hander that beat us at McCook only pitched two innings against NJC [on Thursday] and their left-hander that beat us at McCook has thrown way too much and he is not coming back. I don’t know if he will try to bring the right-hander back or throw someone else that we have beat.”

In other Cougar news, five players were named to the all-region team. Perez was a first-team third-baseman, Suarez first-team outfielder, Richie Stewart first-team first-baseman, Gonzalez second team second baseman, and Carson Cook second team catcher.

First Game
WNCC 000 000 100 — 1 6 0
Trinidad State 000 000 002 — 2 4 0
LP — Orta.

Second Game
WNCC (26-27) 403 000 020 — 9 10 0
Lamar 030 001 011 — 6 7 1
WP – McDonald; 2B — Martinez, Suarez; HR — Cervantes (2).

WNCC baseball team wins opener over Otero

LAMAR, Colo. — Western Nebraska Community College’s Eneldis Vazquez came off the bench and delivered a pinch-hit single to lift the Cougars to a thrilling 4-3 win over Otero Junior College in the first round of the Region IX baseball tournament Thursday.

Vazquez’ came in with the bases juiced in the bottom of the ninth inning and delivered a single to score Marco Moreno from third for the game-winner. Vazquez, though, was just one of the Cougars’ outstanding performances. The others were pitchers Chris Cuadra and Dan Bauer.

WNCC coach Mike Jones said Cuadra had a no-hitter going through four innings before giving up his first hit in the fifth. Cuadra was then rouged up with three runs in the seventh as the Rattlers tied the score. Cuadra finished the game with four strikeouts before he was pulled for closer Dan Bauer.

Bauer then came in and mowed the Rattler hitters down in collecting the win. Bauer allowed one hit, while striking out three.

“Today we did enough to get the win,” Jones said. “Chris pitched really well and controlled them until they were able to get three runs off of him. Bauer then came in and held them down to get the win.”

The Cougars opened the scoring with one run in the second and two in the third. JC Perez got things started in the second with a walk followed by a single by Gilbert Gonzalez. After a double steal, Perez scored on a sacrifice fly.

WNCC opened up their offense in the third inning, where they recorded three of their game-high five hits. Travis Lindhorst and Daniel Martinez led off with back-to-back singles. Richie Stewart followed with a 2-run scoring double to put WNCC up 3-0.

Stewart had the only extra base hit for the Cougars.

WNCC will now face Trinidad State Junior College today at 2 p.m. Jones said the Trojans are a team that has the potential to score a lot of runs. Phillips Orta will get the start on the mound for WNCC.

Other scores in the regional tournament saw Northeastern Junior College defeat McCook Community College 10-2. McCook then came back and eliminated Otero 5-1.

Otero 000 000 300 — 3 5 2
WNCC (25-26) 012 000 001 — 4 5 4
WP — Bauer; 2B — Stewart.

SCottsbluff's Dallas Liptac signs with WNCC baseball

Scottsbluff’s Dallas Liptac will play continue to play his college baseball on the same field that he did in high school, Cleveland Field, after signing to play at Western Nebraska Community College.

Liptac, who starred for the Twin Cities Zephyrs helping them to the state tournament the past two seasons, is looking forward to playing for the Cougars next season.

“I looked at some other schools and WNCC was just as good in every aspect with those other schools. It has just been great that coaches [Mike] Jones and [Ryan] Burgner have helped me along the way. My swing is because of them."

WNCC coach Mike Jones is excited to get someone of Liptac’s caliber in his program. “We have seen Dallas grow up as a player since we started the program here six years ago. He has been coming to our camps and he has been active within our program. His parents have been active as dorm parents. It is nice to see him grow into the player he has become. He will contribute to us for two years.”

Jones expects Liptac to see time behind the plate as well as some outfield position. And, while Liptac is known for his presence behind the plate, he also mans the mound with authority. Last season for the Zephyrs, Liptac had a 6-1 record with a 2.37 earned run average.

He also was one of the leaders from the plate, leading the team with 40 runs batted in and second on the team in home runs and doubles.

Zephyr coach Mark Moran said Liptac will have success at WNCC.

“Dallas has a real good work ethic and has a high baseball IQ,” Moran said. “He is a solid player and works to get better. He is a real quality hitter at this level and works hard hard to be a good player. He will contribute at the next level.”

Liptac started playing for the Zephyrs his sophomore year and will be in his third year with the upper American Legion this year. Moran said they are expecting a lot from the senior, who will graduate from Scottsbluff on Sunday. Liptac and the rest of the Zephyrs will open the season May 19 at home.

“He is definitely a guy to come out and put up big numbers for us,” Moran said.

Moran said that Liptac is the 43^rd player from the organization to play college baseball, and there have been some really good players to come out of the organization. JT Koncaba and Leroy Crable should also sign to play baseball somewhere later.

Liptac said it will be sweet to keep playing at Cleveland Field for another two years.

“It has been a real good experience with coach Moran guiding me. It will be a big difference in each step from Express to Zephyrs, and now college,” he said. “It will help knowing the field that I am familiar with it. It will help the adjustment not going to a new place and meet new people. Plus, I will have the community around.”

Jones said Liptac could make an immediate impact when he joins the Cougar squad in the fall.

“Dallas knows the game and I have seen him catch now for three years now. I have paid attention to how well he understands the game,” Jones said. “The college game is a big adjustment with the speed and power of the game, but he has all fall to catch on what is going on.

“The biggest thing he will bring to the game is his work ethic. He is a hard-nosed guy who works hard. He will be out there in practice games giving us 100 percent. Guys will follow that type of attitude and that is what we need in our program. That is something we can build on.”

WNCC's Winn named Region IX coach of the year

When WNCC softball coach Maria Winn-Ratliff became the head coach of the Cougar softball team three seasons ago, she had a dream of bringing the softball program to a new level.

Well, she definitely has accomplished that after this year’s team finished second at the Region IX tournament for a second straight year. More importantly, though, Winn-Ratliff has guided the team to a record-setting 36 win season.

For her efforts of making the Cougar softball team feared in the Region IX, the third-year coach was named Region IX coach of the year at last weekend's Region IX tournament by her fellow regional coaches. It is an honor that Winn-Ratliff really doesn’t want to bring up because it is the players that do the winning.

But, her players are thankful for her leadership on and off the field.

“Coach Winn is very deserving of this award. She pushes us when we need to be pushed,” Lauren Bourdon said in speaking for the rest of her team members. “It is a great honor and it was no surprise. She pus so much time and dedication on the field, in the classroom and in our lives here and is this award is what describes her: outstanding coach of the year.”

In three seasons at WNCC, Winn-Ratliff has a 86-76 record. She has improved the team’s winning each year. In 2005, her first year as a head coach, the team finished with a 23-30 mark. Two seasons ago, the team set a school record for wins (27-25-1) and also for home runs.

This year, both records fell again. This year’s Cougar team, comprised of just two sophomores – Jessica Ventoza and Ashley Eichelberger – broke both of last season’s records, going 36-21 with 41 home runs. The Cougars hammered 19 home runs at the 2-day regional tournament.

What makes Winn-Ratliff special to her players is her dedication to her players, whether on or off the field.

“Coach Winn is very deserving because she treats as like we are her own kids,” Jessie McNabb said. “She looks out for us when we are with her and when we are not with her. She puts in countless hours to make us the best players we can be.”

In fact, the team has succeeded in the classroom as well. For the past three years, the softball team as earned the award as the team with the highest grade point average. The team also has had 11 Region IX academic all-region players – five in 2005 and six in 2006. This year’s list has not been released as of yet, but seven players earned spots on either the college’s President’s or Dean’s list during the first semester.

Because of all that success, Jessica Ventoza, who transferred to WNCC this season, said this program wouldn’t be where it is today without Winn-Ratliff running the show.

“Coach has done a great job building this program and helping us on and off the field,” Ventoza said. “She not only is a great coach, but a great person as well. She is very deserving of this award.”

Baseball team opens regional tournament Thursday against Otero Junior College

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team set a goal to win the Empire Conference league title and host the Region IX tournament.

The team fell short of that goal, but still ride into this week’s Region IX tournament in Lamar Community College with a positive outlook. The Cougars open the regional tournament Thursday at 2 p.m. against Otero Junior College. The winner advances to a Friday, 2 p.m. meeting with Trinidad State Junior College, while the loser must turn around and face the loser of the other first-round game between McCook Community CollegeNortheastern Junior College at 5 p.m. Thursday. and

“Just getting through the first two rounds will be really important,” WNCC head coach Mike Jones said. “In this conference, teams are really close together and everybody matches up well. Everybody has a couple of frontline pitchers and once you get through that, I think we will have a little bit more pitching depth than anybody else in the whole tournament. But, we have to win those first two games."

Sophomore Chris Cuadra will get the start on the mound in the Cougars’ opener, while Phillips Orta will get the nod in game two. Jones has a lot of confidence in his pitchers.

“We believe Chris has been throwing well for us and he has a chance to beat Otero. He throws a lot of strikes and he can keep them off the bases,” he said. “Pitching will be the key for the team to win all this. Pitching depth will be what it comes down to. Everybody has an opportunity to put up some runs. Offensively, it is us, Northeastern and Trinidad that probably score the most.”

WNCC features plenty of pitching depth with starters Jeff McDonald, Greg Crowe and Todd Stachura available after the first two games. WNCC also has had strength in the bullpen. The only question mark remains with closer Dan Bauer, who is battling an illness and has been out of practice for the past five days, while taking medication.

The Cougars, 24-26 on the season and 17-13 in conference play, are in a prime position to do something at the regional tournament. WNCC has dominated Otero this season, winning seven of eight games, outscoring the Rattlers 52-26. The only setback came at Cleveland Field when Otero won 7-0.

“We have played well against Otero and been able to score quite a few runs on their pitching staff,” Jones said. “However, they do have one big right-handed pitcher that shut us down. He came into our own ball park, didn’t walk anybody, threw a lot of strikes and threw his breaking ball for strikes. Even though we hit the ball hard and put the ball in play, they made the plays behind him. They beat us that one time. We will hook it up with them once again and we will have to control their offense, keeping them off the bases and make the plays behind our pitcher.”

Offense will be another key for the Cougars, who have been able to manufacture runs by doing the little things like sacrifice bunts, stolen bases and utilizing errors from the other team. Then, Jones said, they get the big hit and not necessarily a home run.

“We have been able to come up with a lot of big hits throughout and that has been a key for us to winning a lot of ball games,” he said. “I expect us to get guys on base, and we have been able to find a way to do that. I expect that to continue, we just need to get those big hits when need to.

“For the most part we have been doing it without the long ball. We have quite a few doubles. We will sacrifice bunt and hit and run the bases, and we will push it when I feel we need to. I am going to just rely on getting on base.”

Sophomores Richie Stewart, Pedro Suarez and JC Perez have provided the biggest clutch hits for the team this season. In Saturday’s regular season finale, Perez paced the Cougars with a 4-for-4 performance, including two home runs, eight RBIs and four runs scored in a 16-6 win against McCook.

The team also claimed a 10-8 win Saturday as Marco Moreno and Travis Lindhorst, who bat in the No. 8 and No. 9 spots, each went 3-for-4. Moreno finished with three RBIs. WNCC’s hitting should be a plus in Lamar’s ball park, the shortest in the conference.

“This time of the year, the wind blows from the south. It will play long and that really favors us because Otero is not a real powerful lineup,” he said. “They have a few guys that can [hit the long ball], but for us, seven of the nine guys that will be in the lineup will be able to hit the ball out of the ball club.”

More importantly, though, the Cougars are entering the regional tournament on a high note, after snapping a 5-game losing skid at McCook on Saturday. WNCC defeated the Indians 10-8 and 16-6 to get the team back on track.

“The team had some expectations and set some goals that we didn’t reach. There was a time at the end of the season where we had a mental letdown,” Jones said. “I believe that going into the regional tournament, we are going to put all that stuff behind us and come out and play our best.”

Tournament Schedule
Thursday’s Games
11 a.m. – McCook (23-26) vs. NE Colorado (26-23-1)
2 p.m. – WNCC (24-26) vs. Otero J.C. (15-29)
5 p.m. – Losers of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. games

Friday’s Games
11 a.m. – Lamar C.C. (31-21) vs. winner Thursday, 11 a.m. game
2 p.m. – Trinidad State (32-24) vs. winner Thursday, 2 p.m. game
5 p.m. – Losers of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. games
The double elimination tournament continues Saturday and Sunday, with the championship game scheduled for Sunday at noon with an if-necessary game to follow.

Bridgeport's Wallesen signs with Bellevue University, Akins headed to Tarlington

Two Western Nebraska Community College men’s basketball players have signed letters-of-intent with four-year schools to continue their collegiate careers.

Chance Wallesen spent three years at Western Nebraska Community College fine-tuning his game on the court. Matthew Akins spent one year with the Cougars adjusting to the rigors of college basketball.

Wallesen, who started for the purple and gold of Bridgeport High School, will be wearing those colors once again as a member of the Bellevue University Bruins, located just outside of Omaha.

While Wallesen is staying in-state, Akins is moving a little closer to home as a member of the Tarlington State University Texans. Tarlington State is a Division II school, but Akins feels it gives him the best chance to win a national title.

“I was looking at Metro, Tulsa, San Diego State, Missouri State, Albany and Belmont,” Akins said. “I could have chosen to go to Division I, but in Division I you might not get to the tournament. At Division II, I have a chance to win a ring. At Tarlington, the program fit the way that I play. I am an up-tempo player and I like to run. The coach didn’t hide anything from me, he told me what I did wrong and what I need to work on. Tarlington has the best chance of me getting a ring.”

As for Wallesen, he neared his choices down to two – Dickinson State in North Dakota and Bellevue. And the fact that Bellevue was his high school colors didn’t have a factor. He just liked the feel of the program and campus.

“Bellevue fitted me better, and the program just stuck on me,” Wallesen said. “Plus, I have relatives down there.”

Wallesen spent three years at WNCC after red-shirting his first year. After his red-shirt season, Wallesen has brought his hard-nosed, intense play to the courts of Cougar Palace. Wallesen started 29 of 30 games this season for the Cougars, helping them to a sub-region title and a 19-11 overall record.

Wallesen averaged eight points and three rebounds per game, but it was his shooting and defense that stood out. Wallesen finished the season shooting 100 percent from the free throw line, while connecting on 41 3-pointers.

“I will play the same role that I played anywhere. I am looked at as a shooter and hustle-type guy,” he said. “I will go in and fight. I am ready to play anytime and if coach wants me right away or if he wants me off the bench, I am there to help.”

Wallesen said attending WNCC was one of his best choices out of high school and wouldn’t change anything.

“I have grown a lot basketball-wise,” he said. “My first year here, I didn’t know anything about the college game,” Wallesen said. “Playing with three new teams in the years I have been here, it is just outstanding just to get to know the guys. The coaching staff has been great. It has been a great time and I have grown a lot playing here.

“The Chadron State coach tried talking me out of going here my first year and definitely now coming to a junior college was worth it. I will tell anybody to do that first, especially here with a good basketball program and good teachers. School-wise it helped me out a lot to kick off my college years.

Wallesen said he has a lot of memories from playing here, including being part of a No. 1-ranked team in the nation in 2005.

“I will miss the small town a lot. Omaha is definitely a big attraction, but I will miss the people and the fans that have supported me in the community. I have a lot of friends out here and I will always be around. It was a great time here and I hope people come follow me and keep up with what I am doing.”

Akins has only been at WNCC for one season having transferred to Scottsbluff from Iowa Western Community College with former head coach John Jungers. While at Iowa Western, Akins helped the Reivers to the national tournament, and at WNCC continued to improve his game.

Akins said that while many thought he should be starting, he was content in coming off the bench and helping that way. Akins started just eight games for the Cougars, while averaging 11 points and six rebounds a game.

“At this school, everybody wanted me to start, but I prefer coming off the bench because I can sit down and watch how the team is doing,” he said. “At Tarlington, I expect to be a major player, an impact player. I expect to score in double figures and I am hoping to go in and put up big numbers to win a championship.”

Akins said at Jennings High in St. Louis, he was a skinny and immature kid. In his two years in junior college, he definitely improved.

“At the JUCO level, I grew as a player and added 30 pounds of muscle, and I got mentally ready for the game of basketball,” he said. “Going to the national tournament was one of the greatest feelings in the world. All the hard work you went through, the sweat and tears, running up and down the court, the screaming and hollering, was worth it to play at the national tournament. Later on in the future, I can look back and say I played on a team that played at a national tournament.”

WNCC nearly doubles regular season home run total wiht 19 dingers at regional tournament

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team showed some finesse from the plate at the Region IX tournament over the weekend.

The Cougars entered the tournament with 22 home runs and just in a two-day period, the team nearly doubled that mark, collecting 19 round-trippers in the six games at regionals, which they placed second.

WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff, who was named the region’s coach of the year, was amazed at the team’s power.

“Offensively up until the last game, we did a tremendous job and made great adjustments,” she said. “We did a great job putting up runs. We had a lead in the Lamar game and then had to come from behind to win in dramatic fashion. We found a way to win against North Platte. We found a way to guy it out and score 17 runs. The second go-around with Otero and putting up 11 runs is a big moral victory for us. We just ran out of gas in the championship. Mentally and physically we just couldn’t get over the hump after playing four games in one day.”

WNCC’s power in the tournament not was only from their 19 home runs, but also the 15 doubles they collected. In fact, eight of the nine batters recorded at least one home run

Freshman Lauren Bourdon was the big hitter, doubling her season home run total from four to eight. Bourdon had two huge dingers in the team’s 11-7 win over Otero Junior College in the first championship game.

Bourdon had a second-inning 3-run blast to start the scoring for both teams. She then added a solo shot in the seventh inning to add an insurance run to force an if-ncessary game.

Bourdon also had home runs in the first game against Otero Junior College, which WNCC lost 8-7, and a home run in the team’s 13-5 win over McCook Community College in the team’s opener.

Sophomores Ashley Eichelberger and Jessica Ventoza also provided some punch as each dinged three home runs. Eichelberger had home runs against North Platte, a 2-run blast in the win against Lamar Community College to win the game, and a 2-run shot in the win against Otero.

Ventoza’s three home runs were all 2-run shots against Lamar, in the Otero win, and in the first Otero loss. Ventoza also added three doubles to her totals while hitting 15-of-23 for the game, including a 4-for-4 day in the 8-7 loss to Otero.

Amanda Hensley, Jessie McNabb, Amanda Torimaru and Lauren Mills each collected two home runs, while Kara Ryman had one. Winn-Ratliff said that Ryman and Eichelberger each could have had another one – both in the 8-7 loss to Otero. Ryman’s, the coach said, would have been a first-inning grand slam, while Eichelberger’s was a deep flyout to lead off the seventh.

While the reality of the season is closed, Winn-Ratliff was extremely excited in watching her team play never give up in the games.

“The kids were extremely gutsy and, really, it was anybodies opportunity to win it,” she said. “You saw McCook pick up a win, which his great for their program, North Platte upsets the three seed and goes all the way to finish third. The championship game couldn’t be more then what the fans asked for. I wish we had a little bit better showing in the if game, but it is by far the most exciting regional tournament I participated.”

The Cougars performance this season shows a lot for next year. Not only did the team post the most wins in school history with 36, they also set a number of other hitting records. And, with 11 players eligible to come back next year, WNCC should be one of the favorites to win the regional title.

“We are going to have the best returning class and we are going to return the most experience in the league,” she said. “That is something that is going to be great for us next year and something for us to build on.”

The team also put seven players on the all-region team as well having the Region IX coach of the year.

Earning first team honors were infielders Jessica Ventoza, Jessie McNabb and Kara Ryman, outfielder Lauren Mills, and pitcher Natasha Dypchey. Second team honors went to Ashley Eichelberger and Amanda Hensley. Winn-Ratliff was also voted as the coach of the year. But, she said that it was her players that stepped up when needed, and the future looks bright for Cougar softball.

“We playing 57 ball games, 49 with 11 kids, and had seven kids on the all-region team – three of which are first-team infield. That says a lot about us,” Winn-Ratliff said. “I think we had one of the best infields in the league and obviously other coaches thought that as well.

Winning 36 games was huge. Our goal was 40 and we fell a little short of that. Still, I couldn’t be more prouder of this bunch of the way the kids played hurt and injured. We were all on the same goal of wanting to play at Plant City, Fla., [the site of the national tournament] and we were closer then we ever been. I hope we continue to have success, get more kids on the all-region team and pick up more wins in the future and see where it gets us.”

WNCC 130 201 0 – 7 9 1
Otero 000 260 x – 8 7 1
LP – Jessica Pexton; HR – Ventoza, Hensley, Bourdon.

North Platte 303 404 2 – 16 19 5
WNCC 002 703 5 – 17 18 2
WP – Dypchey; 2B – Mills, Foster 2; HR – Hensley, McNabb, Eichelberger, Mills, Ryman.

WNCC 030 133 1 – 11 15 1
Otero 003 040 0 – 7 12 0
WP – Pexton; 2B – Ventoza; HR – Ventoza, Eichelberger, Torimaru, Bourdon 2.

WNCC (36-21) 000 01 – 1 4 4
Otero 612 4 – 13 12 2
LP – Dypchey.

WNCC softball team finishes second at regional tournament, seven players earn all-region

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team’s spectacular run at the Region IX softball tournament just came up short after going 2-2 on the final day. The Cougars forced an if-necessary game against the host team Otero Junior College, defeating the Rattlers 11-7 in the first championship game.

But, Otero was too strong in the final game, taking the title 13-1 over WNCC. For the tournament, though, WNCC show-cased themselves well. The team hit 19 home runs in the two-day tournament, and saw seven players earn all-region honors -- five on the first team.

It was also the second straight year that WNCC has finished second in the region. They also finished the season with a school-record 36 wins. And, they did it with a freshman-dominated team with just two sophomores on this year’s team – Ashley Eichelberger and Jessica Ventoza.

WNCC earned that berth in the championship game with two exciting wins. After falling into the loser’s bracket by a heart-wrenching loss to Otero 8-7, WNCC came back and defeated North Platte Community College 17-16 and then Otero 11-7 to set up a second championship.

In that second title contest, Otero jumped out to a 7-0 lead after three innings and never looked back.

In earlier action, WNCC held a 6-2 lead over Otero in the morning game only to watch the Rattler’s score six runs to take the game 8-7. WNCC did have a change late, but Ashley Eichelberger’s long ball was caught a the fence before the outfielder tumbled over the fence.

That set up a contest with North Platte. The Knights grabbed a 10-2 lead after three innings. WNCC responded with seven runs in the fourth on three home runs, and went on to win 17-16. Natasha Dypchey picked up the win to send the Cougars into the championship needing to defeat the Rattlers twice.

They accomplished that first goal registering the 11-7 win as Pexton picked up the win and Dypchey getting the save. Both teams were tied at 3-3 after three innings, before the Cougars regained the lead 4-3 on a Amanda Torimaru solo home run.

The Cougars pushed the lead to 7-4 in the fifth inning on home runs by Eichelberger and Lauren Mills, before adding four more runs in the sixth inning for the 11-7 win and forcing the if necessary game.

Earning first team all-region honors for the 36-21 Cougars were infielders Jessica Ventoza, Jessie McNabb and Kara Ryman; pitcher Natasha Dypchey; and outfielder Lauren Mills. Ashley Eichelberger and Amanda Hensley each earned second team all-region honors.

Saturday’s Region IX Tournament Scores
Lamar 15, Dawson 3
Otero 8, WNCC 7
North Platte 10, Lamar 2
WNCC 17, North Platte 16
WNCC 11, Otero 7
Otero 13, WNCC 1

WNCC baseball splits four-game series with McCook

The WNCC baseball team rebounded from Friday's 2-1 and 9-1 losses to McCook Community College to register 10-8 and 16-6 victories.

The wins guarantee the Cougars a third seed in next weekend's regional tournament and they will match up against Otero in the first round.

WNCC softball team wins two at regionals, Eichelberger hits walk-off home run in win over Lamar; teams hits five homers for the day

LA JUNTA, Colo. — The Western Nebraska Community College softball team belted five home runs in the first day of the Region IX tournament in La Junta, Colo. But, it was sophomore Ashley Eichelberger’s seventh-inning, 2-run walk-off home run that proved the biggest in powering the Cougars to a thrilling 9-8 comeback win over Lamar Community College.

The Cougars, 34-19, opened the tourney defeating McCook Community College 13-5 behind home runs by Amanda Torimaru, Lauren Bourdon, and Jessie McNabb. Jessica Ventoza chipped in a home run in the second game as well.

The two wins Friday puts the Cougars into a 10 a.m. winner’s bracket contest against Otero Junior College today. Otero was a 9-1 winner over North Platte Community College.

WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff was impressed with the team’s long ball hitting. “Five home runs is nice, obviously, but we would take a bunch of doubles as well,” she said. “Some big things happened in the games and some kids stepped up. We hope they can carry it over to our games [today].”

The way the team came back against Lamar was huge. The team led 5-2 heading into the seventh inning only to see the Runnin’ Lopes notch two 3-run home runs to grab an 8-5 lead. WNCC came back with two home runs of its own in the
bottom of the frame.

Bourdon led off by drawing a walk. Then, with one out, Ventoza rocketed a shot over the centerfield fence to cut the deficit to 8-7. Three batters later and with two outs, Eichelberger delivered the killer hit, sky-rocketing a shot over the left-field fence for the game winner.

“I thought we hit real well. We started out the Lamar game, jumping out on top and then fizzled out a little bit,” Winn-Ratliff said. “We then showed up to play and swung the bats in the seventh inning.”

Jessica Pexton picked up the win pitching the final two-thirds inning in relief of Natasha Dypchey. Pexton got the final two Lamar batters on a sacrifice and a strikeout. Dypchey went 6 1/3 with three strikeouts and three walks to get the no-decision.

WNCC had five players record multiple hits. Ventoza, Hensley and Ryman each went 2-for-3, while McNabb and Eichelberger went 2-for-4. Ventoza finished the game with three runs scored, two RBIs and a home run, while Hensley went two runs scored, an RBI and a double. Ryman had two RBIs and two singles, followed by McNabb with two runs scored, two RBIs and a double, and Eichelberger with two RBIs, a run scored and a home run.

WNCC’s strong hitting in the Lamar contest was a carryover from the tourney opener against McCook, where they pounded out 17 hits, including eight extra base dingers. In that contest, McCook grabbed a 3-0 lead on a home run, only to see the Cougars come back with eight runs in the third inning.

Torimaru started things with a towering 3-run home run followed by a Bourdon solo shot. The Cougars capped off the scoring on a Ventoza run-scoring double. WNCC added four more runs in the fifth inning on a McNabb 3-run home run and a Torimaru run-scoring double,

Pexton picked up the win, scattering seven hits, while striking out six and walking four.

Six Cougars finished with multiple hit games. Ventoza and Torimaru finished with 3-for-4 efforts. Ventoza had two runs scored and a double, while Torimaru had four RBIs, two doubles and a home run.

Also collecting two hits were Hensley, Eichelberger, McNabb and Bourdon. Hensley had two runs scored and three RBIs, Eichelberger had a double and runs scored, McNabb finished with two runs scored, three RBIs and a home run, and Bourdon had two runs scored, an RBI, a double and home run.

Other scores in the regional tournament included North Platte Community College downing Dawson Community College 5-2, Lamar defeating Trinidad State Junior College 11-1, and McCook eliminating Trinidad State 10-7. North Platte eliminated and McCook 18-1.

First Game
McCook 003 020 — 5 7
WNCC 008 041 — 13 17
WP — Pexton, 2B — Torimaru 2, Ventoza, Bourdon, Eichelberger; HR — Torimaru, Bourdon, McNabb.

Second Game
Lamar 000 011 6 — 8 6 1
WNCC (34-19) 203 000 4 — 9 10 2
WP — Pexton; 2B — McNabb,Ventoza, Hensley; HR — Ventoza, Eichelberger.

WNCC softball opens regionals Friday

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team’s success this season comes from the team member’s strong bond on and off the field. In fact, that closeness has resulted in a record-setting 32-win season.

Now comes the fun part in whether that tight bond can stay together when the team ventures into the most important part of the season this weekend, the Region IX tournament in La Junta, Colo.

The Cougars begin their quest for a regional championship Friday at noon against McCook Community College, a team they defeated four times this season. The game can be heard on the Internet at www.1021kzmc.com.

A win in the opening round against McCook will then put them into a 4 p.m. contest against the winner of Lamar Community College and Trinidad State Junior College later that day. The championship game is slated for 4 p.m. Saturday.

The team is riding some confidence as well entering the tournament after claiming two shutout wins in the Iowa Western tournament over Southeastern Iowa and Iowa Western. In fact, the way they played in those two games defensively, is the way they team needs to play in the regional tournament.

“We all responded well together in the two wins last weekend,” centerfielder Lauren Bourdon said. “We got back into the swing of things and realized we can play together as one big unit.”

Winning the tournament will not be a sure bet. Otero Junior College comes into the tournament ranked 9^th in the NJCAA national polls with a 44-6 record. WNCC, though, can compete with the Rattlers. In the two games played at LaJunta, the Cougars fell 9-7 and 11-1. Otero blanked the Cougars in the other two games 4-0 and 12-0.

Ashley Patten said those games mean very little now.

“We can’t look at that. Those games [against Otero] are in the past,” she said. “I think we are more pumped up now more then ever. We just need to take one game at a time. Anything can happen.”

That is definitely true, but the one thing riding in the team’s favor is the offensive threats on this year’s team. The Cougars are in the top five in the nation in hitting with a .408 average, and six Cougars are hitting over .400 for the season.

“We have had our ups and downs, offensively, but I think we are coming back into the swing of things,” Bourdon said. “Hopefully we will all show up to play.”

Jessie McNabb is the big offensive threat for the Cougars. She currently is batting .543 for the season, including a slugging percentage of .858. McNabb already owns many school records, including most hits (88), doubles (21), triples (9), runs scored (55), RBIs (55), and is near to setting the batting average and on base percentage records.

McNabb, though, is just one of the offensive threats for the Cougars. Also hitting at 400 clip or better are Jessie Ventoza (.439), Lauren Mills (.416), Ashley Eichelberger (.415), Kara Ryman (.412) and Amanda Hensley (.406).

Another key for the Cougars will be their pitching. The team is led by 20-game winner Natasha Dypchey. Dypchey enters the tournament with a 20-10 mark with a 2.97 earned run average. The freshman from British Columbia also has a school record 141 strikeouts on the season in 174 innings pitched. She is averaging 5.66 strikeouts a game.

WNCC’s other pitcher, Jessica Pexton of Douglas, Wyo., has really come along in the last two weeks. Pexton picked up both wins last week in gaining the shutouts against Iowa Western and Southeastern. Pexton has a 12-7 record and has lowered her ERA by nearly five runs in the last weeks to 3.79. She has struck out 57 so far this season in 130 innings of work.

Patten said that while they have had their ups and downs, they still are a dangerous team.

“We need to be relaxed and be focused,” she said. “We have had our ups and downs, but when it is time to settle down and buckle down, we do it. We just need to have the confidence that we know we can do it.”

Bourdon said this team definitely has the potential to bring a regional title back to Scottsbluff.

“It will take us all coming together and playing like we can,” she said. “We have the potential of winning and we just need to play like we did last weekend. You can’t take ant team lightly, especially at the regional tournament because everybody is going all or nothing.”

Finalists for WNCC men's basketball coaching position announced

Western Nebraska Community College has announced the three finalists for the position of general education instructor/head men’s basketball coach. The finalists currently represent institutions in Colorado, Oklahoma and Montana.

The finalists for the position Include:
Brian Joyce, former Northeastern Junior College men's basketball coach. Joyce is currently completing his Ph.D. program at Colorado State University and has experience in the field of criminal justice. He is currently the assistant men’s basketball coach at CSU in Fort Collins, Colo.

Shawn Neary. Miles Community College men's basketball coach. Neary holds a Masters of Education degree in counseling and guidance, and has taught physical education and health classes. He is currently the head coach in Miles City, Mont.

Adam Bohac. assistant coach at Southern Nazarene University. Bohac, a Kimball native and former University of Nebraska basketball player, holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree and is qualified to teach business administration and accounting classes. He is currently the assistant men’s basketball coach at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla.

The finalists were selected from a diverse group of highly-qualified candidates, and the applications were reviewed by the 9-member search committee representing many areas of the college and community. All interviews will be held the week of May 7.

“We were very pleased with the quantity and the quality of applications we received for this position,” said Co-Chair of the Selection Committee Tim Alvarez, dean of students at WNCC.

Co-Chair Garry Alkire, developmental education director and chairperson of language and arts division, further added that “The applications show WNCC has a strong reputation in community college academics and athletics.”

The committee hopes to complete the selection process by the third week of May, enabling the college to fill the position by June 1.