WNCC softball team to face Wallace State in first round of national tournament

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team found out who their first round opponent will be at the NJCAA national tournament May 15-17 in Plant City, Fla.

And, the match-up with the No. 4 seed Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Lady Lions and the No. 13 seed Cougars will teams of similar proportions. The two will do battle at 9 a.m. (MST) Thursday at the Randy L. Larson Four-Plex in Plant City, located between Tampa and Orlando. The Cougars are making their first appearance at the national tournament after capturing the regional title with a 6-0 win over Otero Junior College, the 7-time Region IX champions.

“We had opportunities to see Wallace State play,” WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “They were down in Texas when we were there, playing some of the teams that we played. I also have had an opportunity to work some events with their coach.”

The two squads, also boast similar records, Wallace State entering with a 64-8 record, while WNCC enters at 54-8. The two squads also boost sensational pitchers between the Lady Lions’ Holli Hill and WNCC’s Kelsey Garner, who each were named NJCAA Pitcher of the Week twice. The two flame throwers even shared the Player of the Week honors the same week.

“Obviously, Hill has done some nice things in the circle. She will do a nice job in the circle for them,” Winn-Ratliff said. “I talked to a couple of buddies of mine that have already played them and we just need to come out and put the ball into play and hope we can find a way to score runs.”

At the Odessa Tournament, Wallace State went 7-1 only falling to Central Arizona College 12-4. The Cougars, at that tournament, went 3-2 falling to Midland College and West Texas State College. WNCC lost 5-3 to Midland, while Wallace State won 6-5. The other two common opponents between the squads saw both beat Odessa College and Howard College. WNCC beat Odessa 7-5 and Howard 9-0. while Wallace State beat Odessa 7-3 and Howard 5-3.

“Regardless [of who we are playing], it really doesn’t matter where we are ranked [or seeded] or who we are playing,” Winn-Ratliff said. “The only team that matters is us. We have to come out and do the things that we have been doing all year no matter who our opponent is.”

The rest of the bracketing for the tournament has No. 1 Santa Fe Community College (56-3-1) against No. 16 Spartanburg Methodist College (34-11); No. 8 Midland College (41-17) against N. 9 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (36-11); No. 5 Tallahassee Community College (28-22) against No. 12 San Jacinto College-South (37-15); No. 3 Yavapai College (48-18) against No. 14 Iowa Western Community College (51-11); No. 6 College of Southern Idaho (45-20) against No. 11 McLennan Community College (39-17); No. 7 Wabash Valley College (46-3) against No. 10 Butler Community College (47-6) and No. 2 Chattanooga State Technical Community College (56-7) against South Georgia College (33-19).

Winn-Ratliff said it will be a tough tournament and the key is staying out of the loser’s bracket. The tournament in double elimination with the championship slated for Noon on Saturday
“We have our hands full. There are 16 teams that are in this tournament that are phenomenal and you don’t want anything more than that,” she said. “We are in the bracket with the No. 1 seed. A lot of people wouldn’t be happy with that, but we are happy to be here and we want our kids to know that no matter what ranking [seed] that we got, we just need to go out and continue doing what we have been doing all year, find ways to score runs, contain the other teams and play defense.”

Win or lose their opening game, the Cougars will face either Tallahassee or San Jacinto-South. If they lose, they will play Thursday at 4 p.m., and if they win they will play Thursday at 6 p.m.

Winn-Ratliff said it will take six games to win it all if you stay in the winner’s bracket. Otherwise, a team could be playing a lot of softball battling their way through the loser’s bracket.

“It will be tough. Obviously, any tournament you are in, you have to avoid the bottom bracket and fight as hard as you can in the top bracket,” she said. “It will make it a tough road for us if we can’t find a way to find a way to be victorious in game one, but we just need to go out and do the little things right.”

The Cougars are set to fly to Florida Tuesday morning for the 3-day national tournament.

Meisner inks with Alaska Anchorage, Jones signs on with Hawaii Pacific

The final three sophomores from the Western Nebraska Community College national championship volleyball team signed to continue their athletic careers at different institutions.

Shawntell Jones, a middle blocker from Lakewood, Colo., will be attending the University of Hawaii Pacific, while Gering graduate Stacey Meisner will be following former Cougar coach Chris Green to the University of Alaska Anchorage. Chelsea Lyles also signed, but instead of volleyball, she will be playing basketball at Division I Florida Gulf Coast.

Meisner and Jones are already joking around with each other when their two teams meet up in the NCAA Division II championship match.

“We already talked about that in that we will be playing against each other in the championship,” Meisner said. “I said ‘may the best team win,’ and then I look at her and said, ‘Don’t worry, it will be me.’”

WNCC assistant coach Amy Winters feels that both Meisner and Jones will bring success to their new programs.

“These two girls were huge leaders for our team as freshmen and sophomores,” she said. “I expect them to lead on the courts at the next level. They both work hard and they take on whatever role that is asked of them. Stacie, in high school, was an outside hitter and when she came here was a defensive specialist and did a great job in the back row for us. Shawntell dominates at the net, and both of them will do very well at the next level.”

Both players, who were a major force in the Cougars finishing second at nationals their freshman year and national championship this past year, are excited for the opportunity to be playing college volleyball at the next level.

“I just kind of lucked out with [going to Alaska Anchorage] because I hadn’t made a decision by the time [Coach Green] decided to go up there,” she said. “I was looking at a couple of other places, but after I went up to visit Anchorage, I loved it. Plus, the fact that Coach Green was going to be up there, it was really comforting to me that I was entering a program that I already know what the coach is like.”

It will be a different feel for Meisner when she heads up north to play volleyball. The Gering graduate has always had her family and friends cheering her on while playing athletics either for the Cougars or the Bulldogs.

“I guess for me what I am going to miss is having my entire family cheer for me every single game. It is always like I had my own cheering section, which was fun,” she said. “I have played in the Scottsbluff area my entire life and I will definitely miss the Scottsbluff community and all the support I got.”

Meisner is looking to take her leadership role up to Alaska Anchorage for the next two years.

“I am mostly looking at being a defensive specialist and maybe playing outside hitter,” she said. “Coach joked with me before he left that I might have to set because he hasn’t recruited a setter yet, but he got someone else to do that; thank goodness. I am also hoping to be a big leader on that team as well just I know they have been lacking in leadership over the past couple of years.”

Meisner definitely has plenty leadership capabilities inside her after winning several awards at the WNCC Awards banquet last month. Meisner garnered the Cougar Award, which is presented to an athlete that shows excellence on and off the court; the Board of Governor’s Award, which is given to an outstanding sophomore graduate showing leadership; the Journalism Excellence Award; as well as earning the female athlete highest GPA honor.

“I have never been there before until I went to visit a couple of months ago,” she said. “I really loved it up there and I heard really good things about Anchorage.”

Jones enjoyed her visit to the Islands of Hawaii over Christmas break and said that warm weather was a big selling point.

“I went there and visited and obviously I loved the place because it is Hawaii,” she said. “I got to know the coach and a few of the girls, and I love the atmosphere and that is where I see myself the next two years.”

Jones was recruited as a middle blocker, but realizes she has to work for a starting role. But, she is ready for the challenges; while at the same time will miss the tight-knit bond the Cougar team achieved.

“Obviously, I am going to miss the girls. We built a pretty good family over the past two years with the sophomores and this year’s freshmen,” she said. “I am going to miss the girls and the atmosphere and miss the WNCC family.”

Melo selected as the next Cougar volleyball coach, pending board approval

Giovana Melo spent two years as a setter for the Cougar volleyball team. Now, Melo has even bigger shoes to fill after being selected to succeed former coach Chris Green, who took a head coaching job at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

All that is left before Melo can officially be named the head coach is approval from the Board of Governors at its May 21 board meeting. The announcement of the selection was made at the WNCC Athletic Banquet.

Melo was a setter for the Cougar team back in 2001 and 2002, earning second team NJCAA All-American honors her freshman year and first team All-American honors her sophomore year. She helped guide the Cougars to a 104-14 record in two seasons, including a third place finish at nationals in 2001.

After WNCC, Melo went on to play for Arizona State University, where she played two seasons, before tearing her ACL in her senior season for the Sun Devils and had to use a red-shirt season. She earned PAC-10 All-Academic honors in 2005.

But, it was Chris Green, who brought Melo over to the states from Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, and gave Melo a chance to flourish on the volleyball courts.

Once the Board of Governors officially approves the hiring, Melo will take over a Cougar program that went 54-2, and won the college’s first national championship. Green has guided the Cougars the past nine years, compiling a 453-35 overall record, including nine straight regional titles.

WNCC's Beddome, Lyles sign with Division One Florida Gulf Coast

Western Nebraska Community College’s Emma Beddome and Chelsea Lyles didn’t even now each other before they became members of the women’s basketball team two years ago. Now, after two seasons sharing the same court, the two teammates will be partners for another two years when they signed with Florida Gulf Coast, a NCAA Division I institution.

“I always think it is an honor and great accomplishment whenever we are able to send kids to the next level and these two kids is deserving,” WNCC coach Dave Harnish said. “I think they have done very well this year and done the things necessary to get where they are suppose to be, and that is why they came to Western Nebraska.

“It is a joy for me and Coach Ped [Jennifer Pederson, assistant coach] to see them grow and develop, and have the opportunity to go down there and play at a Division One school. They just moved up from Division Two to Division One a year ago and did make it to the WNIT and won a game the first round and then lost by five to Florida. So, of all the schools they have been looking at, they have been the most successful.”

The Eagles, out of Ft. Myers, Fla., finished the season at 22-9 and winners of 17 of their last 19 games after moving to the Division I level. Both players said going to FGCU was a perfect fit.

“I liked the campus and I loved the weather, and I wanted to go someplace that wasn’t as cold as here,” Beddome said. “I knew there was a possibility that Chelsea was going there, and I knew that if we went there together, it would be a lot more fun. The program is really good and going Division I is something that I wanted to do.”

Beddome was also looking at University of Bridgeport, St. Francis in New York, Seattle University and Missouri Southern. Lyles, who was looking at attending Southern Illinois, San Jose, James Madison and New Mexico State, said that it will be an honor to play another two years with Beddome.

“It is nice to go with someone that you know and have that trust base with where you don’t have to come accustomed to again. She is always in your corner no matter what,” Lyles said. “When we went there, the weather was really nice and the campus was really beautiful. The team went to the WNIT tournament this year and did really well. I think I can be pretty successful there.”

Lyles said that coach is looking at her to become an impact player.

“He [head coach Karl Smesko] can’t guarantee any playing time, but he expects me to come in and be an impact player right away,” she said.

Lyles did, however, have an inkling to play volleyball, but had to settle with her first love. Lyles won a national championship with the Cougar volleyball team in the fall.

“There is always a thought in my mind to play volleyball, but I knew that basketball is my passion. It is what I love doing and I love being out there,” she said. “I might, however, play it for a fifth year just to get some money. Florida Gulf Coast has a really good volleyball program as well.”

For Beddome, she is going even further from home. Beddome, from Melbourne, Australia, said she has become accustomed to Scottsbluff after spending the last two years here. Beddome was also selected as the women’s basketball team’s Cougar Pride recipient at the Athletic Banquet Wednesday night.

“It was a big culture shock when I first got here,” she said. “Flying into here it looked like a big city with the lights. But once I got here, it was a big culture shock because of the size. I come from a town of about 3 ½ million and coming to a town of 14,000 is a big difference. I had to get used to it, but I am going to miss it. I really am.”

Harnish will also miss his two stars that helped lead them to the national tournament.

“It is always disappointing when you have sophomores that have contributed so much leave,” Harnish said. “What they did and what they accomplished this year in getting us to the national tournament in playing well at the right time, they had a lot of schools interested in them. They definitely will be missed. They will be tough to replace, but hopefully we will find someone like these two.”

Send-off celebration for Cougar Softball team Friday, March 9

There will be a send-off celebration to honor the Western Nebraska Community College softball team on Friday, March 9 at 9:50 a.m. in the "Pit" area of the college. The 10-minute celebration will give students, faculty and the community a change to wish the team good luck at nationals and congratulate them after claiming their first Region IX championship and ending Otero Junior College's 7-year reign as regional champions. The softball team will leave early next week for the NJCAA National Tournament in Plant City, Fla., which will be held March 15-17.

Where is Tanya Kluck now? Nice feature on former Cougar player from Windsor newspaper

Where is Tanya Kluck now?
Physical therapist raising trio in Kersey

From the Windsor Beacon

Three weeks ago Bret and Tonya Schissler erected a basketball goal in their driveway.

The main intent of adding the sports equipment outside their Kersey home is to hone the shooting skills of their three children - Ben 6, Cora 4, and Andrea 3.

However, since Tonya is a former high school and collegiate basketball standout, it took only a matter of minutes for her to chuck up a couple of jumpers to see if she still had it.

"My stroke has been long gone," said Tonya (Kluck) Schissler, a 1991 Windsor High School graduate. "The Greeley Rec Department recently had open gym for women's basketball and I couldn't shoot at all. I've lost my shot and I'd love to play again."

For the rest of the story, visit the Windsor Beacon website at --- http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080503/WINDSORBEACON02/805030320/1132

Softball team is Region IX Champs

The one goal the Western Nebraska Community College softball team had at the beginning of the year was to give the college a Region IX championship.

They certainly did that in thundering fashion this past weekend at the Region IX Tournament at Volunteer Field as the Cougar players definitely can say that now after blanking Otero Junior College 6-0 in the Region IX championship game to give the college and the community another Region IX title. WNCC, 54-8, will now compete at the national tournament in Plant City, Fla., March 15-17, after capturing the regional title.

“This is really exciting,” fourth-year head coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “I woke up this morning and told the kids that this is a great day to be a champion. We worked our rears off all year to get here. Don’t be excited to just be here, go out and finish the job. We wanted to win it in three and we did. This is a great group and I couldn’t be any more proud of them.”

The regional championship is the first for the Cougar softball team after back-to-back runner-up finishes the last two years. This win definitely is sweet not only for the coach, but the players as well.

“This group is very special. To win 54 ball games is something that I don’t’ think we envisioned have being that good,” Winn-Ratliff said. “We have a saying ‘2008 national champions, get used to it.’ We have saying it all year and we hope that is the fourth piece of our puzzle. We just look forward going out every day doing what we have been doing all year long and hopefully to bring a national championship home.”

The championship game didn’t start out as a offensively slugfest, as the two Region IX powers hooked up in a defensive struggle. Winn-Ratliff was a little worried, at least for a couple innings.

“When we started, I got a little nervous,” she said. “Kelsey wasn’t getting the calls we got [Saturday night]. She seemed a little uncomfortable, but we found a way to contain them. For us, I knew eventually we were going to score, it was just when and how many. Once we put one across, I felt real comfortable. I thought which ever team scored first would come out with the victory.”

It was the defense early on that really sparked the Cougars. WNCC’s Kara Ryman turned a double play in the first inning to stop Otero from scoring first. Then, in the second inning, Region IX’s Freshman and Overall Player of the Year Kelsey Garner struck out two and got another out on a weak grounder back to the circle to stop another threat.

But, as well as the Cougar defense was playing, the Otero defense was also sparkling. In the third, after Whittany Foster singled and Mandy Pounds beat out a bunt, the Rattlers settled down and starting pitcher Jessie Lessard got the next three Cougar batters to fly out.

WNCC finally broke the scoreless game in the fourth inning with one run. Lauren Bourdon smacked a lead-off double and came around to score on a Kara Ryman groundout for a 1-0 lead.

The Cougars added to the lead in the fifth inning, plating four more runs on four hits. Foster led off by reaching on an error followed by Pounds beating out another bunt. Lauren Mills drilled a double to score one run followed by Jessie McNabb scoring two runs with other double. McNabb came around to score on a Ryman hit that the shortstop booted for the 5-0 lead.

WNCC added an insurance run in the sixth when pinch hitter Kayli Allen singled. Then, pinch runner Alec Voci scored on ground ball by Pounds to make the score 6-0.

In the seventh, the drama started to build for the Cougars as they neared their first regional championship since the team started 2001. Garner quickly put down the first two Rattler batters with her eighth and ninth strikeouts of the night. Garner then walked Kelsey Fuentes to slow down the anticipation of celebration a bit.

The Cougars finally got the third out as Amber Ray popped up a 2-2 pitch to Amanda Torimaru to seal the win.

"There was a lot of pressure [on that last out]. I knew that if I dropped it wouldn’t be the end. But I am glad I caught it because making the last out was very unbelievable,” Torimaru said. “[Winning regionals] was a goal for us for a really long time. This team in the end came together. I knew we could do it. It is the greatest feeling.”

Garner picked up her third win of the tournament, throwing a 2-hitter, while striking out nine. She also walked five in the game.

“I can’t explain how much this win means,” the freshman flamethrower from Regina, Saskatchewan, said. “Our defense was awesome today. They had my back the whole game, which is definitely all you can ask for.”

Offensively, the Cougars were just as sparkling, finishing the game with 10 hits. Four Cougars finished with multiple hits, including 2-for-3 performances from Mills, McNabb, Bourdon and Pounds.

Otero’s Lessard took the pitching loss, striking out three and walking none. Lessard and Noel Wees collected Otero’s only hits of the contest.

“This is a huge victory for us,” Ryman said. “The sophomores worked for this for two years and it finally happened. I hope the freshmen carry it on next year.”

Winn-Ratliff said the 10 sophomores were one of the big reasons for the Cougars’ success this year.

“It will be more hard to replace them as people then as players. They are phenomenal people and that is what made them such great players,” she said. “They came in here and I called them my average joes. They are a phenomenal group of young ladies and our freshmen group has big shoes to fill to come in and be leaders.

“We are trying to build a tradition here and we think we are starting to get there. We want to make winning a habit and when we can do it every day and do the little things right, that is our main goal. We want to have Cougar Pride. I couldn’t be more proud of the group. I hope we do well in Florida.”

Otero (43-14) 000 000 0 – 0 2 3
WNCC (54-8) 000 141 x – 4 10 1
WP – Garner, LP – Lessard; 2B – WNCC (Mills, McNabb, Bourdon).

WNCC softball moves closer to first regional title with 7-0 win over Otero

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team is one win away from securing a ticket to the NJCAA National Softball Tournament for the first time in school history after registering a dominating 7-0 win over Otero Junior College in the second day of the Region IX Softball Tournament at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff on Saturday.

The Cougars received another stellar pitching performance from Kelsey Garner as the sophomore tossed a two-hitter and struck out 10 Rattlers in propelling the Cougars to the win. The victory sends the Cougars into the championship game today at 2 p.m.

Today’s tournament action will get underway at 10 a.m. with Dawson Community College taking on Lamar Community College in an elimination game. That winner will take on Otero at noon for the right to face WNCC in the championship.

Garner’s pitching performance on Saturday wasn’t the only thing that the Cougars benefited from as the WNCC offense exploded for 13 hits, including a pair of first-inning home runs by Lauren Mills and Lauren Bourdon that quickly pushed the team in front 3-0.

“This win is huge for the kids. We just preached to the kids this whole time to survive and advance to put us in a good situation going into day three where someone has to beat us twice,” said WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff. “The kids fought hard. Kelsey was amazing in the circle. What a way to play in front of our fans. We had great community support and we couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Winn-Ratliff said Mills’ leadoff homer set the tone.

“She is not the typical leadoff batter. When she did that, I knew that put us in a good situation and gave us a little bit of momentum,” Winn-Ratliff said. “We carried it on from there and had a great first inning.”

After Mills’ 13^th dinger of the season, the Cougars continued to hit Otero starter Jessie Lessard. Jessie McNabb followed with a triple before Bourdon’s two-run homer put the Cougars in front 3-0.

WNCC added another run in the second inning as Mandy Pounds led off with a bunt single, followed by Mills reaching base on a bunt. With two outs, McNabb lofted a deep fly ball to leftfield that scored Pounds for a 4-0 lead.

The Cougar defense also shined, especially in the third inning when Mills laid out for a diving catch in centerfield to thwart a Rattler scoring opportunity.

“Lauren Mills came up with a huge diving play in centerfield and we made plays when we had to,” Winn-Ratliff said. “That is what we preach to them — play defense, get a good outing in the circle and push runs across. We found a way to do that. We hope we can carry that over to tomorrow.”

WNCC wasn’t through scoring as it added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. In the fourth, McNabb connected on a run-scoring double to push the lead to 5-0. In the fifth, Amanda Torimaru singled and scored on a Whittany Foster single.

The Cougars’ final run came after McNabb doubled and scored two batters later on a Kara Ryman infield single for the final margin.

“This is one of the biggest wins of our season and now we have one more win to go,” said Mills. “Our defense did an excellent job. Kelsey pitched well in the circle and we backed her up. They only got two hits, one was a blooper and the other was a legit hit.”

WNCC had four players finish with multiple hits. McNabb went 3-for-3 with a triple, two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs. Mills finished the game going 2-for-4. Ryman went 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI, while Foster finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI.

Games earlier in the day saw North Platte Community College defeat McCook Community College 8-3, Otero defeat Trinidad State 5-4 in 10 innings, Dawson top North Platte 7-5 and Lamar nip Trinidad State 4-3.

Otero 000 000 0 – 0 2 1

WNCC 310 111 x – 7 13 1

WP – Garner, LP – Lessard; 2B – WNCC (McNabb 2, Ryman, Foster), Otero (Lessard); HR – Mills, Bourdon).

Cougars ready for regional tournament after an unexpected day off

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team has had to play in cold and windy conditions the last two weekends, and have found a way to win in the cold, windy conditions.

The Cougars opened their regional tournament march with an impressive 10-2 win over Dawson Community College on Thursday in wind chills that dipped to below freezing. Sophomore Lauren Bourdon, who had a 2-run home run in the fifth inning against Dawson, said definitely said that they play well in all kinds of weather.

“We are used to the cold weather now because we have played in it in the past and we are used to it,” Bourdon said. “It just takes a lot of mental focus to get through it and get passed getting cold.”

Well, the cold temperatures finally took a toll on the Cougars at the Region IX Tournament in Scottsbluff Friday. Except this time it wasn’t on the playing field, per say. The weather forced all the games in the second day of the tournament to be postponed until today because of the cold, snowy weather that swept into the Panhandle Friday morning.

Because of the postponements, the exact same game schedule will be used today. Action will pick up this morning at 10 with North Platte Community College facing McCook in an elimination game. The other contests today will pit Trinidad State Junior College against Otero Junior College in a winner’s bracket game with the winner facing WNCC at 6 p.m., while the loser drops down and plays Lamar Community College at 4 p.m. The other contest on Saturday will have Dawson Community College facing either North Platte or McCook at 2 p.m.

The tournament will conclude Sunday with games beginning at 10 a.m. and the championship game slated for 2 p.m.

With the unexpected day-off, the Cougars are trying to stay focused and in prime condition for the rest of the tournament.

“No one can take it as an advantage or disadvantage either way because you have to stay focused and do whatever you have to do,” she said. “Even if we had to play today, you still had to stay focused and play through the cold.”

Even though the team has played in cold conditions before, including winds that blew harder last weekend in Iowa, it doesn’t mean the cold weather didn’t affect the team any. For Bourdon, it was just a matter of fighting through the bitter cold.

“I have played in colder conditions before; but [Thursday] it was just the wind that was horrible to be just standing out there,” she said. “When you focus through it, it all works out. It wasn’t excruciating, but it wasn’t that fun [to play in].”

The Cougars, however, enjoyed plenty of success in the cold weather against Dawson, scoring five runs in the first and fifth innings. However, it doesn’t mean the players were cold because they definitely were.

“We came out strong, obviously with five runs in the first inning,” Bourdon said. “The cold might have got to us once in a while but we pushed through it. We did well and came out with a win and that is all that matters.”

WNCC would liked to have kept that strong hitting alive for a second straight day, but the unexpected day off put a hamper in those plans for not only the Cougars, but also the other six teams fighting for the right to qualify for the national tournament in Plant City, Fla. Friday, teams were finding other things to do to occupy their such as lounging around the motels or practicing, such as what the Cougars did with a 9 p.m. practice just to stay sharp for today’s winner’s bracket contest.

“Everybody wanted to practice” Bourdon said. “Since we are at home, it doesn’t mean we have an unfair advantage. The practice will keep our bats going again. [Today] we just need to hit the ball and keep the it in play, and stay focused mentally.”

WNCC’s contests can be heard on the radio on KOZY 101.3 FM, and the Internet at www.kozy1013.com. Admission to the tournament is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.

Region IX softball tournament postponed one day because of weather conditions

The weather conditions has pushed back the Region IX Softball Tournament one day. No games will be played today, Friday, because of 17 degree wind chills and snow. Those games have been rescheduled for Saturday, with the tournament continuing through Sunday.

Saturday's games will now have North Platte Community College playing McCook Community College at 10 a.m. in an elimination game, Otero Junior College will be battling Trinidad State Junior College at noon, Dawson Community College facing the winner of the North Platte/McCook game at 2 p.m., Lamar Community College taking on the Trinidad/Otero loser at 4 p.m., and Western Nebraska Community College facing the Trinidad/Otero winner at 6 p.m.

Sunday's contests will begin at noon with the championship game slated for 4 p.m.

WNCC wins opening round game at regionals

The first day of the Region IX Softball Tournament is in the books despite windy, cold conditions at Volunteer Field Thursday.

And, it was the No. 19 Western Nebraska Community College softball team that scattered 14 hits, including five extra base hits to post a 10-2 five-inning win against Dawson Community College.

The win keeps the Cougars in the winner’s bracket and a date with the winner of the Trinidad State and Otero Junior College game at 6 p.m. today.

Other first round contests say Dawson defeat Lamar Community College 6-2, Trinidad State topple McCook Community College 8-7 in the bottom of the seventh, and Otero Junior College stopping North Platte Community College 8-4.

Today’s contests kick off at 10 a.m. with McCook battling North Platte in an elimination game, followed by Trinidad and Otero at noon, Dawson facing the winner of McCook/North Platte at 2 p.m., Lamar meeting the loser of the Trinidad/Otero game at 4 p.m., followed by the WNCC game at 6 p.m.

WNCC’s opening round victory was the result of clutch hitting as the Cougars scored five runs in the first and fifth inning to call the contest. The team, however, left 11 runners on base in the contest.

Still, Maria Winn-Ratliff said this team continues to find ways to win.

“We came out really well in the first inning and did some really good things,” she said “Then what a way to finish. With two outs, we put a couple of hits together. We couldn’t ask for anything more. The kids are extremely excited, and a win is a win.”

The Cougars wasted little time in getting on top Dawson with five runs on five hits in the first inning. Lauren Mills, who leads the team in home runs, got things started quickly as she reached base on a bunt single. After a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Hensley, the flood gates opened with three straight singles, including run-scoring hits by Jessie McNabb and Lauren Bourdon.

Mandy Pounds and Mills followed with the final two runs of the inning as Pounds recorded a run-scoring single and Mills pushed in a walk by drawing a free pass.

Dawson made a dent in the lead with two runs in the fourth inning on two hits. Danielle Biere led off with a double. Then, with two outs, Kaila Anderson earned a free pass, followed by a two-RBI double by Amanda Hall, cutting the lead to 5-2.

WNCC put the game away in the fifth inning, all with two outs. McNabb started things by drawing a walk. Bourdon then blasted a two-run home run to right field to push the score to 7-2. Ryman and Torimaru followed with back-to-back doubles. Kayli Allen followed with a run-scoring, pinch-hit single, followed by Whittany Foster ending the game on a run-scoring double to right field.

Garner, who was named NJCAA pitcher of the week, picked up the win in the circle, scattering five hits and striking out six. She also walked one and hit a batter.

Ryman led the Cougars from the plate with a 4-for-4 game, including two doubles and two runs scored. Bourdon, Mills and Pounds also collected multiple hits. Mills was 2-for-3 with a run scored, RBI and a walk; Bourdon was 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs, and Pounds was 2-for-2 with a RBI.

“The weather will dictate a lot of it,” Winn-Ratliff said. “If we get the weather they are calling for, that will hinder some of the things that we will do. Trinidad swings the ball really well and have a couple of girls that can hit it out and they proved that today. Same with Otero, that anyone in their lineup can hit it out of the park. Both teams can put runs on the board, we just have to contain them from having a big inning. That is all we can ask for.”

Dawson 000 20 – 2 5 0
WNCC (52-8) 500 05 – 10 14 0
WP – Garner, LP – Brittany Fedler; 2B – WNCC (Ryman 2, Torimaru, Foster), Dawson (Biere, Hall); HR – WNCC (Bourdon).

Dawson 6, Lamar 2
The Dawson Community College Buccaneers used a strong defensive effort and a strong pitching performance from Meghan Dewer in registering an opening game 6-2 win over Lamar Community College at the Region IX Tournament in Scottsbluff.

The Bucs managed nine hits in the game, but used timely hitting to scratch across six runs. Dawson opened things in the first inning as Amanda Morris scored on a Danielle Biere single to right field for a 1-0 lead.

Dawson was led in hitting by Burdette, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Biiere also collected two hits, including a double and an RBI, while Morris was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Lamar was led by Bruner with a 3-for-4 day, including a runs scored and a RBI. Ashley Duffy and Chelsey Lueders also collected two hits for the Lopes.

Dawson 102 030 1 -- 6 9 1
Lamar 000 110 0 -- 2 10 1
WP -- Dewar; LP -- Emily Huhta; 2B -- Lamar (Duffy), Dawson (Biere).

Trinidad 8, McCook 7
It was a battle throughout, but the Trinidad State Junior College Trojans battled back from two deficits, to record a seventh-inning comeback to take care of McCook Community College 8-7 in the first round of the Region IX Tournament in Scottsbluff.

The Trojans trailed 6-1 to McCook after 3 ½ innings, but battled back to tie game in the sixth inning on a clutch double by Yadira Garcia.

McCook came back and went ahead in the seventh. Jennifer Deal started things with a one-out single, followed by Courtney Nevarez reaching base on an error. Lead off hitter Jessica Martinez then hit a double to put McCook up 7-6.

Trinidad won the game in the seventh as Julia Diehl led off the inning with a home run. Nicole Morgan followed with a single. Trinidad loaded the bases and scored the winning run on a groundout to first base by Crystal Miller.

Rachel Brug picked up the win in the circle, while Erin Kinzey took the loss for McCook.

Trinidad was paced by Diehl with a 3-for-4 day, including two home runs, seven RBIs and two runs scored. Aylse Billick also had a home run in the game, as she went 2-for-4.

McCook was led by Tiffany Lokken, who went 4-for-5 with a double, single, home run, two runs scored and four RBIs.

McCook 003 300 1 – 7 9 2

Trinidad 100 122 2 – 8 11 2

WP – Brug, LP – Kinzey; 2B – Trinidad (Jacquez), McCook (Lokken, Jessica Adler); HR – Trindad (Diehl 2, Billick), McCook (Lokken).

Otero 8, North Platte 4
The Otero Junior College hit three home runs, including two from Carrie Henry, to move into a winner's bracket game against Trinidad State on Friday.

Otero scored eight runs in the first three innings and then held off furious North Platte come backs to get the 8-4 win.

Henry's jacks came in the first on a solo shot, which followed a 3-run home run by Noel Wees for a 4-0 lead. Henry's second jack came in the third inning on a 2-run home run for an 8-2 lead.

Tawnee Sheridan picked up the win for Otero, striking out five and scattering 10 hits. Amanda Brown took the loss for North Platte.

Otero finished the game with 11 hits. Henry finished the game going 2-for-3 with two home runs, two runs scored and three RBIs. Becca Diede also had a good game, going 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and single; while Noel Wees went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scord and three RBIs.

North Platte was led by Tara Tobiasson with a 3-for-3 game, including a home run. Desi Irish also went 3-for-4 with a double.

North Platte 101 110 0 – 4 11 0
Otero JC 422 000 x – 8 11 0
WP – Sheridan, LP – Brown; 2B – Otero (Diede), NPCC (Ali Hillman, Lizzette Medina, Irish); HR – Otero (Henry 2, Wees), NPCC (Tobiasson).

Region IX Softball Tournament set to kick off Thursday

With the regular season behind them, the Western Nebraska Community College softball team is ready to embark on the most important part of the season, the Region IX Tournament.

And, for the Cougar women, their record-setting season of winning the league title with an impressive 51-8 overall record, earned them the right to host this year’s tournament which begins Thursday at Volunteer Field.

“The girls are excited to be playing at home and playing in front of their friends and family,” WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “It is always nice when you play on a field that you are familiar with. No matter where the tournament is, you have to go out and make sure you control the controllables and do the little things right.”

Action is slated to kick off at noon Thursday with the championship game slated for 4 p.m. on Saturday in the double-elimination tournament. First-day contests pit Lamar Community College facing Dawson Community College at noon; Trinidad State Junior College facing McCook at 2 p.m., Otero Junior College meeting North Platte Community College at 4 p.m., and WNCC battling the winner or the Lamar and Dawson game at 6 p.m. WNCC’s contests can be heard on KOZY 101.3 FM and the Internet.

Winn-Ratliff says her team needs to just play their game to be successful.

“We will need to have good production in the circle,” she said. “Our pitchers will really need to work hard. Anyone in this league can score runs, so we will have to really contain them offensively. I am a firm believer that defense wins championships, so obviously you will need to make plays and find a way to push runs across. I don’t think anyone will win this tournament with 1-0 or 2-0 games; it will be a run-production tournament. We will have to put four or five runs on the board to feel comfortable and put us in a good situation.”

WNCC, however, is playing with plenty of saavy, after finishing the regular season at 51-8 and No. 20 in the NJCAA polls. Winn-Ratliff said this team has really come together and now they want to compete at the national tournament in Plant City, Fla., May 15-17. But, it won’t come easy as Otero comes in having won nine of the 10 regional titles, including eight straight.

“I knew this team was special and we tried to go out and face some really good competition in the beginning of the season so see where we matched up and played very well,” she said. “Our Sophomores have done a great job for us this year and wow what production we have gotten out of the circle. We have had some freshman really step and are a balanced attach.”

The Cougars finished the regular season splitting with Iowa Western Community College, the No. 19 team in the nation and the way they played against the Reivers, does bolster the team’s confidence a little bit considering they split the doubleheader. WNCC won the opener 4-1 behind another stellar pitching performance from Kelsey Garner.

“I thought Kelsey did a nice job in the circle containing their hitters,” Winn-Ratliff said. “We were putting the ball in play a lot the first game and just leaving to many runners on but found a way to score in the top of the 7th. In game two, I thought Ashley Patton did a great job for us giving us a 4-1 lead going in to the bottom of the 5th but their offense started to come alive and we couldn’t contain them anymore.”

WNCC lost the second game to Iowa Western 9-5, but played well at the beginning, according to Winn-Ratliff, who is in her fourth year at the helm of the Cougars.

“Offensively for us we swung the bats very well in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead but then I felt like we tried to just coast after that and couldn’t over come their one big inning in the 5th.”

The recent losses should help the Cougars in a way to refocus for the regional tournament. And, losing to or playing a team like Iowa Western, can only be good for the Cougars in the long run as they prepare for the most important part of the season.

“I was not displeased with our team,” she said. “IWCC is a great ball club and they score a lot of runs so I think we did what we had to do in the first game, but need to score more runs in the second game to support our pitching staff. They are the 19th team in the country and to go and split with them at their place is a positive for us. They also lead the country in home runs so I was pleased with our staff that we didn’t allow them to hit any off of us.”

WNCC, on the other hand, has been an extra-base hitting machine this season. The Cougars have already slammed 56 home runs, 21 triples and 124 doubles.

Lauren Mills paces the team in home runs with 12th, which she hit in the win against Iowa Western. Mills also became the career home run leader with the home run on Sunday.

Right behind Mills, through, is Kara Ryman with eight, Amanda Hensley and Alec Voci with seven, Lauren Bourdon with six, and Amanda Torimaru and Jessie McNabb with five.

As for doubles and triples, Torimaru leads the team with five triples followed by Hensley with four. Ryman has a commanding lead with 25 doubles followed by Torimaru with 18 and McNabb with 17 and Bourdon with 15.

While the Cougars are hitting the ball well, they are also getting fine pitching performances. Garner leads the staff with a 28-2-1 record, including 229 strikeouts and an earned run average of 1.17. Garner also had a near-perfect game against North Platte when she faced 22 batters in seven innings. The only blemish to the feat was a fifth-inning lead-off single. Also in the game, she fanned 15 batters, including nine straight at one time.

Right behind Garner, though, is sophomores Ashley Patton and Natasha Dypchey, who have also game up big. Patton has a 6-2 record in 49.67 innings pitched. Patton’s strength is her ability not to walk batters, as she has a kanck for getting ground outs. Patton has an ERA of 1.69, while allowing just 22 runs and striking out 23.

Dypchey comes into the regional tournament with a 12-3-2 mark, and has thrown 91 innings with an ERA of 2.31. Dypchey has struck out 58 batters so far, while walking 30. Dypchey came up big last week in a win against Lamar 12-0, where the Cougars wrapped up hosting the regional tournament.

The key to doing well at the tournament will be staying out of the loser’s bracket and avoiding playing back-to-back-back contests.

“Every coach’s goal is to stay in the winner’s bracket and if you can do that, you are looking at one game a day. For us, if we fall in the loser’s bracket, we are not looking at back-to-back games until Friday or Saturday,” she said. “But we are going to do everything we can to stay in the winner’s bracket and keep doing things we have done all year long.

Admission to the Region IX tournament will be $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.

Tournament Team Capsules
Western Nebraska C.C.
Location: Scottsbluff, Neb.
Mascot: Cougars
Overall Record: 51-8
Conference Record: 23-1
Key Pitchers: Kelsey Garner, 28-2-1 with 229 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.17; Natasha Dypchey, 12-3-2 with 58 strikeouts and ERA of 2.31; Ashley Patton, 6-2 with 23 strikeouts and ERA of 1.69.
Key Players: Jessie McNabb, batting .500 with 17 doubles and five home runs; Lauren Mills, batting .465 with 12 home runs, 51 RBIs and 10 doubles; Amanda Torimaru, batting .440 with 54 RBIs and five home runs; Kara Ryman, batting .438 with eight home runs, 25 doubles and 67 RBIs; Lauren Bourdon, batting .407 with 15 doubles, six home runs and 48 RBIs; Amanda Hensley, batting .364 with seven home runs and four triples, Whittany Foster, batting .359; Lauryn Smith, batting .352 with two home runs and two triples; Mandy Pounds, batting .322; and Alec Voci with 30 RBIs and seven home runs. McNabb, Ryman and Hensley are all headed to Northern Colorado to play next year.

Otero Junior College
Location: La Junta, Colo.
Mascot: Rattlers
Coach: Melissa Perea
Overall Record: 40-12
Conference Record: 21-3
Key Pitchers: Jessie Lessard, sophomore from Elizabeth, Colo., who is headed to Western Oregon, and Stacey Ortiz, freshman from Pueblo, Colo.
Key Players: Becca Diede, shortstop who is headed to Portland State, Alena Martinez, freshman third baseman from Greeley, Colo., Ally Goniea, freshman catcher from Falcon, Colo., Amber Ray, sophomore outfielder who is headed to Colorado State, and Noel Wees, sophomore outfielder who is headed to Northern Colorado.

McCook Community College
Location: McCook, Neb.
Mascot: Indians
Coach: Tyrone Robinson
Overall Record: 29-28
Conference Record: 3-19
Key Pitchers: Erin Kinsey, freshman from Arvada, Colo., with a 9-9 record and a 2.95 ERA; Jessica Martinez, freshman from Los Angeles with an 8-9 record and a 1.32 ERA; and Jennifer Deal, freshman from Sacramento, Calif. With an 8-7 record and 2.37 ERA.
Key Players: Tiffany Lokken, freshman shortstop batting .538 with 12 home runs; Amber Thompson, freshman outfielder batting .480 with 14 home runs and 77 RBIs; Kendra Carmouche, freshman third baseman batting .393 with 47 RBIs; Lauren Leiva, freshman outfielder batting .439 with 19 doubles and 56 RBIs; Jessica Adler, freshman outfielder batting .383 with five home runs and 40 stolen bases; and Jessica Martinez batting .425 with 20 doubles.

Lamar Community College
Location: Lamar, Colo.
Mascot: Lopes
Coach: Craig Brooks
Overall Record: 34-25
Conference Record: 12-12
Key Pitchers: Emily Huhta, freshman from Albuquerque, N.M., with a 16-15 record and a 2.62 ERA, and Brittany Bourque, freshman from Aurora, Colo., with a 15-9 record and a 2.15 ERA.
Key Players: Ashley Duffy, sophomore shortstop, batting .446; Amy Holt, sophomore first baseman batting .490; Samantha Lopez, freshman outfielder batting .476; and Reggie Cadwallader, sophomore outfielder batting .336.

Trinidad State Junior College
Location: Trinidad, Colo.
Mascot: Trojans
Coach: Steve Swazo
Overall Record: 29-20
Conference Record: 13-11
Key Pitchers: Julia Diehl, freshman, has an 8-5 record with 46 strikeouts; Katie Smith, freshman, has an 8-6 record with 55 strikeouts; Jenni Trujillo, sophomore, has a 5-4 record with 32 strikeouts; Rachel Brug, sophomore, has a 3-5 record with 35 strikeouts; Rachel Lovato, freshman had a 3-0 record with 22 strikeouts; and Kelsey Apodaca, freshman, has a 2-0 record. “
Key Players: Kendace Bonner, freshman shortstop, is batting .333 with 14 doubles; Anneliese Lange, sophomore third baseman, is batting .356 with 11 doubles; Nikole Morgan is batting .408 with four home runs and 34 RBIs. Diehl leads the team in hitting (.441) and home runs(9), as she set single season records for hits in a season, at bats, runs scored, RBIs and batting average. Morgan set the single season record for doubles.

North Platte Community College
Location: North Platte, Neb.
Mascot: Knights
Coach: Jack Daniels
Overall Record:
Conference Record: 3-19
Key Pitchers: North Platte has four pitchers listed on their roster. They include sophomores Amanda Brown of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Cristen May of Vidor, Texas, and Ali Hillman of Mountain Home, Idaho, as well as freshman Leigh-Ann Kuwicka of Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

Dawson Community College
Location: Glendive, Mont.
Mascot: Buccaneers
Coach: Dan Harrison
Overall Record: 13-28
Conference Record: 7-17
Key Pitchers: Dawson has three pitchers listed on their roster, including sophomore Debbie Donsbach of Glendive, Mont., and freshmen Brittany Fedler of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and Meghan Dewar of Richmond, British Columbia.

WNCC softball splits doubleheader with Iowa Western, finishes regular season at 51-8

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The No. 20-ranked Western Nebraska Community College softball team finished the regular season with a 51-8 record after splitting a doubleheader with No. 19 Iowa Western Community College on Sunday.

The Cougars and Reivers were hooked in a pitcher’s dual through six innings until WNCC scored four runs in the seventh inning, including a Lauren Mills leadoff home run to give the Cougars a 4-1 win.

Game two was a different story as Iowa Western pounded out 18 hits to come back for a 9-5 win to split the doubleheader among the two ranked teams.

Amanda Torimaru, who hit well all weekend including two home runs in the Southwestern Iowa win on Saturday, said they played well, and that this weekend should be beneficial heading into the regional tournament this weekend.

“We showed that we have a lot of potential and we did pretty good,” the sophomore first baseman said. “The losses made us realize that we are not going to beat every team. It made us realize that we are human and we are going to lose sometimes. But, it gave us something to push forward to.”

The Cougars gave the No. 19 team in the country all they could handle. In the first game, it was a pitcher’s dual until the seventh inning when Mills blasted her 12^th home run of the season to lead off the inning. It also was Mills 17^th of her career, breaking a school record.

After Mills’ dinger, the Cougars plated three more runs. Amanda Hensley followed with a single. Jessie McNabb and Lauren Bourdon then each drew walks to load the bases. Kara Ryman came through with a run-scoring single, while Amanda Torimaru had a 2-run scoring single for the win.

The Cougars pounded out 12 hits, led by Mills’ 3-for-4 game. Mills had two singles, a home run, RBI, and a run scored. Hensley and Ryman each had two hits, while McNabb and Torimaru finished with a hit apiece.

Kelsey Garner continued her stellar pitching performance with a 10-strikeout performance. Garner also scattered five hits, while allowing one run.

WNCC continued its hot hitting in game two, running out to a 4-0 lead after three innings. The Cougars scored three times in the first as Mills led off with a single, followed by run-scoring doubles by McNabb and Bourdon. Ryman finished off the scoring with a RBI single.

McNabb and Ryman connected on singles in the third inning as Ryman hit scored McNabb for the 4-0 lead.

The lead didn’t last as IWCC scored once in the fourth and five times in the fifth to take a 6-4 lead. WNCC did try to come back slicing the lead to 6-5 in the sixth inning as Ryman doubled and scored on a Whittany Foster single.

WNCC had nine hits in the loss, including a 3-for-3 game from Ryman. Ryman, the sophomore second baseman from Westminster, Colo., finished with two RBIs and a single and a double. McNabb also had two hits, including two RBIs and a double.

Natasha Dypchey suffered the loss, coming in relief of Ashley Patton. Patton pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing 15 hits and striking out three.

WNCC, 51-8, finished the regular season in record setting fashion. Torimaru said it is unbelievable how well this team has gelled together.

“I was surprised that we were doing so well,” she said. “I am proud of my team that we did so well.”

Now, though, comes the second season and the Region IX tournament which begins Thursday at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff.

First round games will have Lamar facing Dawson at noon, Trinidad meeting McCook at 2 p.m., Otero facing North Platte at 4 p.m. and WNCC meeting the winner of the Lamar/Dawson game at 6 p.m. The tournament continues through Saturday with the championship game slated for 6 p.m. Admission to the regional tournament is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.

“We just need to keep doing how we are doing,” Torimaru said. “I think we have a pretty good team and I think we can go all the way if we want to and try hard enough.”

First Game
WNCC 000 000 4 – 4 12 2
IWCC 000 000 1 – 1 5 0
WP – Garner; 2B – Ryman; HR – Mills.

Second Game
WNCC (51-8) 301 001 0 – 5 9 0
IWCC (44-11) 000 152 x – 9 18 0
LP – Dypchey; 2B – McNabb, Ryman, Bourdon.

WNCC softball win 50th game of season with two wins Saturday in tournament

ALTOONA, Iowa -- The No. 20-ranked Western Nebraska Community College softball team notched win No. 50 with two victories in the Marshalltown Tournament Saturday with a combination of timely hitting and strong pitching.

In the opening game against Southwestern Iowa Community College, Lauren Mills and Amanda Torimaru each blasted two home runs as the Cougars defeated Southeastern 10-1. In the second game, Kelsey Garner struck out 10 and allowed two hits against a good Indian Hills Community College squad 3-1.

“We played well [Saturday],” Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “We need to come out and play well [today against Iowa Western Community College.”

The Cougars opened the day with a 16-hit attack against Southwestern and they started it early with five runs in the first inning. Mills led off the game with a solo home run. Then, after the Cougars loaded the bases, Torimaru unleashed a grand slam for a 5-0 lead.

WNCC added two more runs in the second. Jessie McNabb doubled and came around to score on Torimaru’s second home run of the game for a 7-0 lead.

The Cougars put the game away in the sixth with three runs on five hits. Mills started the rally with a solo home run followed by singles by Amanda Hensley and McNabb, and a double by Kara Ryman. Torimaru then picked up her seventh RBI of the game with a single.

Natasha Dypchey picked up the win, scattering six hits, while striking out one in six innings of work.

Mills and Torimaru each finished with three hits with four at bats. Mills had two runs, two RBIs and two home runs, while Torimaru had two runs, seven RBIs, two home runs and a stolen base.

Also collecting multiple hits were McNabb going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a double; Ryman going 2-for-4 with three runs scored and a double; Kayli Allen going 2-for-4 with a double; and Whittany Foster going 2-for-3 with two singles.

WNCC finished off the tournament with an impressive performance against Indian Hills, who split a doubleheader with No. 19 Iowa Western Community College on Friday.

Indian Hills struck first, scoring a single run in the first inning. WNCC came back and took the lead in the fourth inning with three runs on four hits – all singles. Torimaru, McNabb and Lauren Bourdon each had RBI singles in the inning.

Garner picked up her 27^th win of the season as she scattered two hits, walked two and stuck out 10.

Hensley and Torimaru each had two hits in the contest.

The Cougars will look for wins number 51 and 52 Sunday when they face No. 19 Iowa Western at 11 and 1 p.m. in Council Bluffs, Iowa, before coming back home to host the Region IX Tournament May 1-3.

First Game
WNCC 520 003 – 10 16 3
Southwestern 000 010 – 1 6 1
WP – Dypchey; 2B – McNabb, Ryman, Allen; HR – Mills (2), Torimaru (2).

Second Game
WNCC (50-7) 000 300 0 – 3 7 2
Indian Hills 100 000 0 – 1 2 1
WP – Garner.

Gering's Brost, Johns sign with WNCC soccer

Gering’s Keah Brost and Taylor Johns have been key components in the Bulldog’s turnaround of the soccer program, including a state berth their junior year.

Now, the two seniors will be taking their soccer talents to the next level after signing letter of intents with Western Nebraska Community College. Both are expected to make an impact on a Cougar women’s soccer team that finished 10-7-2 last season.

“Coach {Todd] Rasnic is getting two girls that are surpassed by nobody in work ethic,” Gering girls soccer coach John Scott said. “I have been around these girls since they were 11 years old and had the opportunity to coach them since then. They are two girls that work as hard as any two kids that I have been associated with. They love the game. They love the work that goes a long with it. They are 100 percent dedicated to the team, which in this day and age, it is hard to come by.”

Brost and Johns are excited to continue their soccer playing at the next level. In fact, both talented players are looking at attending WNCC as a stepping stone to the next level.

“I choose to go to WNCC because I thought it would be a good transition to college,” Johns, who has stared every match for Gering since she was a freshman, said. “Living in such a small [city] it would be overwhelming to go someplace else. WNCC will be a good step and the soccer program helped a lot.”

For Brost, who has been playing soccer since she was four and the last two with Gering, is excited to be playing two more years in the Twin Cities area.

“I chose to go to WNCC because of the small classroom atmosphere and to get collegiate soccer experience,” she said. “I would like to transfer to the University of Wyoming to finish my degree. It is my stepping stone, I guess.”

Brost and Johns are also well prepared for the collegiate level.

“I have heard various things from family members [about practice], but I think I can handle it,” Brost, who cousins Coote and Cade Mullory and David Thurin played for the Cougars, said. “I am really excited to play there and follow in my cousin’s footsteps.”

For Johns, who is Gering’s all-time goal-scoring leader, her only thought was to play soccer in college. Johns was the Bulldog’s setter in volleyball through high school.

“I really like the physical contact. It is an aggressive sport and you have more room to play unlike volleyball where you are more confined,” she said. “It probably will be a lot more fast-paced and aggressive, and you will need to be more accurate with everything you do pretty much. It will be a lot harder play.”

Rasnic is excited to get two local athletes that love the physical-side of the game.

“It means a lot to have a pool of local talent to draw from,” he said. “At WNCC, one of my goals is to try to incorporate as many local players as I can and put a team on the field that can compete at a high level.

“I think Keah and Taylor will be players that not only will compete at that level, but will excel in their areas of expertise. I see great things from both of these players. I have seen them play as well and agree with John’s assessment that they are hardworking players who, like Taylor alluded to, are not afraid of contact. They certainly give 110 percent while on the field.”

Both will have at least one more game left for the 9-4 Bulldogs when they face Scottsbluff in the semi-finals of the district tournament on Tuesday. Brost said that it will be hard to leave a team she has grown up with.

“I am really going to miss all the girls,” she said. “I have become good friends with all of them. It will be kind of hard to step on a new team where I will only know Taylor, most likely. It will be fun.”

But, Brost will have Johns next year. In fact, Johns said having Brost at WNCC will make the transition to her new team much easier.

“It will be really helpful [to have a teammate up there] because I will have somebody to fall back on if I need help with anything,” Johns, who had been playing soccer since she was five, said. “It will make the transition easier in getting to know people in having someone there I already know.”

Scott is excited to be able to watch his two stars play soccer for two more years as well.

“The bottom line, they are just two great kids. Their abilities are fantastic and it will be fun to be able to see them play together at the next level. They are both very deserving of that,” he said. “They will be strongly missed and they were a big factor in the turnaround of this program at Gering. They are fun to be around and of all the years that I had an opportunity to coach them, I don’t think I had a situation where they disappointed me.”

The Cougar soccer team will begin pre-season practices Aug 1 and their first scrimmage match is slated for Aug. 16 at the CSU-Pueblo.

WNCC softball splits contests at Marshalltown tournament

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team battled the elements Friday at the Marshalltown Tournament, splitting a pair of games.

WNCC fell 3-1 to NCAA Division III Simpson College despite a fine pitching performance from Ashley Patton. The Cougars came back and defeated Marshalltown Community College behind a 12 strikeout performance from Kelsey Garner.

Head coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said that the weather conditions were not favorable as they battled 30 degree temperatures and a wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph blowing straight in.

In the opening game, Simpson College scored three runs in the opening inning on three hits. The big blow was a error with the bases loaded.

WNCC, who are ranked 20^th in the latest NJCAA poll, came back to slice the lead to 3-1 in the third inning as Amanda Hensley and Jessie McNabb singled. Lauren Bourdon followed with a run-scoring single to score Hensley.

The Cougars couldn’t get any closer, despite Patton shutting down the Storm’s offense the rest of the way, allowing one hit after the first inning.

Offensively, WNCC managed just five hits, led by Whittany Foster with a 1-for-1 game, followed by McNabb going 1-for-2.

WNCC found the going a little bit better in the second game against Marshalltown. However, both teams were hooked up in a pitcher’s dual until the sixth inning when the Cougars plated six runs on four hits.

Amanda Torimaru got the offensive started with a double, followed by Kayli Allen reaching base on a fielder’s choice and error to put two runners. The Cougars then had three straight singles by Foster, Hensley and Alec Voci to give WNCC a 4-0 lead.

That was all they needed as Garner had another outstanding outing in the circle, picking up her 26^th win of the season allowing one hit, in the first inning. Garner also struck out 12 and walked three in the game.

Natasha Dypchey and Voci paced the Cougars with two hits apiece. Voci went 2-for-2 with a run scored, RBI and two singles, while Dypchey went 2-for-4 with a RBI, two singles and a stolen base.

WNCC, 48-7, is scheduled to play three games today in the Mashalltown tournament, weather permitting.

First Game
WNCC 001 000 0 – 1 5 1
Simpson 300 000 x – 2 4 1
LP – Patton

Marshalltown 000 000 0 – 0 1 3
WNCC 000 004 0 – 4 7 2
WP – Garner; 2B – Torimaru.

NJC topples WNCC baseball; Cougar end season out of regional playoffs

Submitted by By Kevin Klaman, Star-Herald Sports Reporter

The bad news came early for the Western Nebraska Community College baseball team when the Cougars played host to Northeastern Junior College in a doubleheader at Cleveland Field in Scottsbluff on Wednesday.

WNCC, which was battling both Otero Junior College and Trinidad State Junior College for the final spot in next week's conference tournament, received word that Otero had already swept Trinidad State in a doubleheader earlier in the day.

That meant the Cougars would have to sweep its doubleheader against NJC in order to earn the a spot in the conference tournament.

Although the Cougars took the field with that ultimate goal in mind, NJC proved too much to overcome as the Plainsmen swept both games by scores of 4-2 and 6-5.

"It's extremely disappointing," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "It's been a season of ups and downs, and down the stretch we just didn't play very well."

WNCC will miss the tournament this year after winning the tournament championship last year.

In the first game on Wednesday, the teams battled to a scoreless tie through four and a half innings before the Cougars finally took the advantage in the bottom of the fifth as Josh Guber singled in Greg Crowe.

WNCC plated another run in the sixth inning when Crowe blasted a run-scoring single to score Rich Miller, which gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

However, in the final inning, the game changed for the worse for the Cougars as NJC plated four runs on five hits to take a 4-2 lead.

The Plainsmen tied the game thanks to a two-run home run by Josh Warren and added two more runs before the inning was over.

"In the first game, I thought we played a really good ball game," Jones said. "I thought our intensity was good, our attitude was good and our approach to the game was real good. We just came up short."

Rudy Soto threw six scoreless innings for WNCC on the mound before allowing the two-run home run in the seventh. He allowed seven hits, walked three and struck out six.

"I thought Rudy pitched an excellent game for us," Jones said. "I thought he pitched with a lot of heart and gave us everything he had. He held them scoreless all the way into the seventh and then they got to him in the seventh inning. That's unfortunate for us."

Crowe finished the first game going 3-for-3 with one RBI. However, he was the only Cougar with multiple hits in the game.

In the second game, emotions boiled over as the Cougars struggled in what became a meaningless game because of Otero's wins.

The Plainsmen quickly jumped ahead with two runs in the first inning.

WNCC battled back and took the lead in the third inning, but allowed four runs in the fourth and fifth innings as NJC pulled ahead 6-3.

The Cougars managed to bring the game within one in the final frame, 6-5, but it would be the closest they would come as the Plainsmen earned the win.

"We had a lot of guys that emotionally were spent," Jones said. "Everybody was disappointed from losing the [first] ball game, knowing that was going to put us in fifth place in the conference and out of the playoff chase. It was tough to come out and even play the second game."

WNCC's Carlos Garcia went 2-for-3 in the second game and Guber went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Aurelio Monteagudo finished with a home run and three RBI.

With WNCC now out of the playoff race, Jones said his team will not play its final scheduled regular-season contest against the Colorado State club team on Tuesday. But, although the Cougars have now played their final game of the season, Jones is confident that none of his sophomores have played the final game of their careers.

"I think every single one of them is going to go on and play," Jones said. "They've got some scholarship offers out. Some guys are still looking for a place, but they're all going to find a place to play."

First Game
NJC 000 000 4 - 4 11 1
WNCC 000 011 0 - 2 6 2
LP -- Soto.

Second Game
NJC 200 130 0 - 6 6 1
WNCC 003 000 2 - 5 9 4
LP -- Javins; HR -- A. Monteagudo.

WNCC defeats Lamar in five innings 12-0, will host regional tournament May 1-3

LAMAR, Colo. – It’s official. The Western Nebraska Community College softball team claimed their first league title and the right to host the Region IX softball tournament beginning May 1 with a dominating performance over Lamar Community College Tuesday.

The Cougars pounded out 14 hits in shutting out the Lopes 12-0 as Natasha Dypchey sparkled from the circle tossing a four-hitter. It was the Cougars 45^th win of the season and gives WNCC a 21-1 conference record with two conference games left.

“The girls are really excited about hosting the regional tournament,” coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “But, we just don’t want to host it now. We try to win every time that we play.”

Winn-Ratliff, though, couldn’t be prouder of what this team has accomplished this season.

“We came out and played very well. I am very proud of these girls,” she said. “[Today] we came out and put the ball into play and pushed runs across the plate. Natasha did a great job in the circle. She worked real hard and got the shutout today.”

The Cougars wasted little time in taking care of business, scoring at will Tuesday afternoon. WNCC scored five times in the first inning on seven hits, including leading off with back-to-back bunts for singles.

WNCC pushed the lead to 8-0 in the second inning as Alec Voci belted a 3-run home run to open the flood gates even more. It was the team’s 23^rd home run in the last six days.
WNCC put the game away in the fifth inning, scoring four times. The big hits included doubles by Lauryn Smith and Jessie McNabb, and a triple by Mandy Pounds that scored two runs.

Dypchey collected her 10^th win of the year by scattering five hits, walking two and striking out one.

Amanda Torimaru paced the Cougars with a 3-for-3 game, including three runs scored and an RBI. McNabb followed by going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a double, followed by Mills going 2-for-3 with a run scored, two singles and two stolen bases, Smith going 2-for-3 with a runs scored, a RBI and a double, Mandy Pounds going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, a run scored and a triple, and Voci going 1-for-2 with a home run, four RBIs and a sacrifice.

The Cougars will return to action Thursday when they host North Platte Community College in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. at Volunteer Field. WNCC wraps up the regular season over the weekend as they play in the Marshalltown, Iowa, Tournament, before meeting up with Iowa Western and Iowa Lakes Community Colleges on Sunday.

WNCC (45-6) 530 04 – 12 14 1
Lamar 000 00 – 0 5 0
WP – Dypchey; 2B – McNabb, Smith; 3B – Pounds; HR – Voci.

WNCC softball sweeps Hutchinson, runs record to 44-6

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball team hit five more home runs as the 44-6 Cougars swept a doubleheader from Hutchinson Community College on Sunday 8-3 and 9-5.

The Cougars also finished the doubleheader with 26 hits and they needed everyone against a Hutchinson squad that entered the contest winners of seven straight and sported a 30-14 record.

WNCC, on the other hand, pushed their winning streak against junior college teams to 23 games and they have won 35 of their last 37 games. Over the last eight games on the four-day road trip, the Cougars blasted 22 home runs in winning all eight games.

Sunday, the Cougars quickly took control of the game behind the pitching of Kelsey Garner, who threw 4 2/3 innings of no-hit ball. Garner finished the contest scattering nine hits and striking out six.

WNCC quickly got things started as Lauren Bourdon blasted a solo home run in the second inning. WNCC added three more runs in the third and two in the fourth to grab a 6-0 lead.

Amanda Torimaru then connected on a solo home run in the fifth for a 7-0 lead. WNCC led 8-0 before the Blue Dragons scored three times in the sixth inning to make the game a tad closer, but not enough for the win.

Torimaru went 3-for-4 for the game including two RBIs, two singles and a home run. Jessie McNabb finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBIs and three singles, while Bourdon went 2-for-4 with two runs and a home run.

WNCC continued its home run parade in the second game with three solo home runs. After the Cougars grabbed a 5-2 lead, Amanda Hensley blasted a shot in the fourth inning. Then, Alec Voci added another home run in the fifth.

Finally, Garner delivered a pinch hit home run in the seventh inning to push the Cougar led to 9-2 before Hutchinson scored three runs in the final at bat.

Natasha Dypchey picked up the win in the circle pitching 6 2/3 innings. Dypchey allowed two runs, while scattering eighth hits and striking out three.

WNCC had a multitude of players come up big at the plate in the contest. Mandy Pounds finished the game going 2-for-2 with an RBI and two singles, while Garner went 1-for-1 with a home run.

Hensley and Kara Ryman each went 2-for-4. Ryman had a RBI and a double, while Hensley finished with a double and home run. Voci also went 1-for-2 with a home run, while Lauren Mills scored a run and had an RBI without an official at bat.

WNCC, 44-6, will return to conference play on Tuesday when they travel to Lamar Community College for one game. If the Cougars win, they will clinch hosting the Region IX tournament which begins May 1. If they lose, they need to win just one game on Thursday at home when they face North Platte Community College.

First Game
WNCC 013 211 – 8 14 1
Hutchinson 000 003 0 – 3 9 2
WP – Garner; HR – Bourdon, Torimaru.

Second Game
WNCC (44-6) 221 120 1 – 9 12 0
Hutchinson (30-16) 101 000 3 – 5 11 0
WP – Dypchey; 2B – Ryman, Hensley; HR – Hensley, Voci, Garner.

WNCC drops doubleheader to Lamar, falls to fourth in conference standings

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team’s seventh inning rally fell short as Lamar sweep a doubleheader from the Cougars Sunday 7-2 and 7-5.

The Cougars lost all four games over the weekend to Lamar and put themselves behind the eight-ball in making the Region IX playoffs.

"We put ourselves in a bad spot now,” WNCC coach Mike Jones said. “Dropping all four of these games puts us in a bad, bad position. We will have to find out what is going on around the conference after this weekend. We are in a bad spot and our backs are against the wall now.”

WNCC, however, is not out of the race just yet. The Cougars are tied with Otero Junior College for fourth with 12-16 records in conference play. Trinidad State is third with a 14-14. WNCC, however, holds the tiebreaker over both teams.

That makes Wednesday’s games vital when Northeastern Junior College visits Cleveland Field and Trinidad State travels to Otero. The WNCC contest Wednesday begins at 4 p.m.

“Those games will be everything we have left,” Jones said. “We are definitely hoping for some help from other teams. We need help from NJC to take care of Otero, and Trinidad and Otero will have to hook it up on Wednesday.

The Cougars had an opportunity to earn a split of Sunday’s games, staging a fierce rally in the seventh inning of the second game that left the tying run stranded at third and first base.

Before that rally came up short, it was how the Cougars came back. Trailing 7-2 entering the bottom of the inning, WNCC’s put on their rally caps and did all their scoring with two outs.

Carlos Garcia started things by drawing a one-out walk, followed by a double by Chris Hook. After a groundout, Greg Crowe delivered a line-drive single to right field to score one run. David Monteagudo followed with a double to left field to score two runs to cut the lead to 7-5.

Alex Mueller then advanced to first after being hit by a pitch to put runners on the corner. After a pitching switch, Rudy Soto grounded out to second base to end the rally.

“We put together a decent rally in the seventh. It was just a little bit too late,” Jones said. “We had opportunities early in the ball game with guys in scoring position and couldn’t come up with the big hits. We had trouble all day coming up with the big hits when we needed them. In the past our offense has been able to produce when we needed it. We cam up short this game."

The game, however, was intense from the get-go. Lamar took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third, only to see the Cougars tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Soto started things with a double followed by Norbert Susini drawing a walk. Then, with two outs, Hook delivered a clutch, two-out double to score both runs.

WNCC couldn’t hold the lead as Lamar scored three times in the fourth to take a 5-2 lead, followed by single runs in the sixth and seventh for the win.

Jake Vulk took the loss on the mound by giving up five runs and eight hits and striking out three.

Offensively, Hook went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs, while Crowe went 3-for-4 with three singles, a runs scored and a RBI.

In the opening game, the Cougars couldn’t find that rally to bring come back as Lamar took control of the game from the opening inning, going up 2-0. WNCC did cut the lead to 3-1 with a one in the fourth as Garcia doubled and scored on a Crowe sacrifice fly. But, the Cougars couldn’e get any more runs across the plate stranding two runners on base.

Lamar added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth with two runs each to salt the game away. WNCC managed just seven hits in the contest, while Lamar had six hits, but three errors cost the Cougars.

Jackson Salazar suffered the loss despite pitching well.

Aurelio Monteagudo finished the game going 2-for-3 with a double. Garcia and Susini also featured doubles in the contest.

First Game
Lamar 200 122 0 – 7 6 1
WNCC 000 110 0 – 2 7 3
WP – Kyle Gurnieny, LP – Salazar; 2B – WNCC (Susini, Garcia, A. MOnteagudo), Lamar (Daniel Neumann, John Callahan).

Second Game
Lamar 002 301 1 – 7 13 0
WNCC 002 000 3 – 5 8 1
WP – Mychal Rahnich, LP – Vulk, S – Mike Ramirez; 2B – WNCC (Soto, Hook 2, D. Monteagudo), Lamar (Sam Sena); 3B – Lamar (Sena); HR – Lamar (Josh Payne).