Baseball team falls to Northeastern Colorado, still in second place in conference race

Submitted by Jeremy Woznick, Star-Herald Sports Reporter

STERLING, Colo. - A slow start doomed the Western Nebraska Community College baseball team in its trip south to face Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo., on Wednesday afternoon.

The Cougars spotted the Plainsmen a 7-0 lead through three innings of play and never recovered in dropping an 8-4 decision.

Despite the setback, WNCC still clings to second place in the Empire Conference standings just in front of Lamar Community College. The Cougars have already locked up a playoff spot in the regional tournament. The top two teams in the regional standings at the end of the regular season will host a first-round playoff series in the tournament beginning on May 1.

Trinidad State Junior College has already wrapped up the regular-season title and the tournament's top seed.

On Wednesday against the Plainsmen, WNCC found itself in a hole early as NJC erupted for five runs in the first inning, including a grand slam.

Trailing 7-0, the Cougars plated one run in the fourth on Alex Arias lead-off solo home run, one in the eighth and added two more in the ninth.

"We struggled right from the get-go by giving them five runs without even getting an out," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "We didn't start the game very well and we had a hard time overcoming it throughout the day. We just need to get off to a better start. Our starting pitchers have to go out and control the game a lot better than that."

Gustavo Sanchez took the loss on the mound for the Cougars. Sanchez (3-3) lasted just one inning. Ben Doran relieved Sanchez and struck out two in seven innings of work out of the bullpen.

NJC out-hit WNCC 13-11 in the game.

The Cougars were led offensively by Arias, who went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, and a run batted in. Anthony Paniagua went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, while Oscar Rodriquez and Ronald Miller both had doubles and a run batted in. Josh Parker also drove in a run for the Cougars.

WNCC will close out its regular-season with five straight home games. The Cougars will open the home stand on Friday at 3 p.m. against McCook Community College before hosting Trinidad State in a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.

"We're in the playoffs. Now, it's just a matter of seeing where we're going to be seeded," Jones said. "We have an opportunity to hold onto the No. 2 seed and host some playoff games here at home. I definitely prefer to be at home and our guys prefer to be at home."

WNCC (23-24) 000 100 012 - 4 11 1
NJC (18-23) 502 100 00x - 8 13 4
WP - Huggens; LP - Gustavo Sanchez (3-3).
2B - Alex Arias, Ronald Miller; HR -- Alex Arias

WNCC softball team turns triple play, drops Hastings College J.V.

HASTINGS – The No. 18 Western Nebraska Community College softball team played stellar defense, including turning a triple play, in posting a doubleheader sweep over Hastings College junior varsity Wednesday afternoon at Hastings.

Casey Simpson picked up the in game one, striking out seven in powering the Cougars to an 8-0 win. The second game was highlighted by a first-inning triple play as the Cougars pounded out 15 hits in taking a 13-4 win. The wins push the Cougars’ record to 36-16 on the season.

WNCC controlled game one from the get-go, scoring eight runs on 11 hits. Seven different players recorded at least one hit. WNCC raced to a 3-0 lead after three innings and then scored four times in the sixth inning to end the game via the 8-run rule.

Alyssa Hickey went 2-for-2 with two singles and a run scored, while Megan Burditt went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and Stephanie Townsend went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

The second game was highlighted by a first-inning triple play. WNCC was up 4-1 and Hastings had the bases loaded with no outs. The Hastings batter into an infield fly and then the Cougars caught two Hastings’ batters off the base to get out of the jam.

Hastings sliced the lead to 4-3 after two inning, only to see WNCC rack up nine runs in the third, fourth and fifth inning to end the game by the 8-run rule. WNCC scored six times in the fifth inning.

WNCC had five players with two or more hits in the contest. Sophomore Alec Voci led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, including three RBIs and a double.

Adena Hagen went 2-for-2 with a RBI and two singles; Kelly Pearson went 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI; Katie Groves went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI and two singles; and Burditt went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two singles. Tonya Atencio went 1-for-2 with two runs scored as well.

Townsend started in the second and went 1 1/3 inning giving up three runs and four hits. Simpson came in relief to get the win, allowing just two hits and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings of work.

WNCC will next be in action Thursday when they face Central Community College-Columbus at 5 and 7 p.m. WNCC will then face Southeast Community College in Beatrice on Friday, before finishing the regular season Saturday at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

First Game
WNCC 012 014 – 8 11
Hastings 000 000 – 0 4
WP – Simpson.

Second Game
WNCC (34-16) 402 16 – 13 15
Hastings 120 10 – 4 6
WP – Simpson, 2B – WNCC (Voci).

Drexler signs with Division I San Francisco

Tawny Drexler couldn’t hold back the tears after signing a letter of intent to continue her playing career at the University of San Francisco on Friday.

Drexler, who was the starter for the Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team, said attending WNCC for two seasons definitely helped her achieve playing at the Division I level.

“I feel like I have succeeded more here than I could have anywhere,” an emotional Drexler said. “I have had the best time playing basketball here and have enjoyed it more than any time in my whole life. Coach [Dave Harnish] always believed in me in whatever it was. I knew that coming in every day to practice and knowing that you had someone there to tell you how do it right and what you need to do, was what I liked.”

WNCC women’s coach Dave Harnish said Drexler is the type of person that will succeed in whatever she does.

“From the emotion that you see [from Drexler], she has done a lot for us. She not only has been a very good player for us, but you see the passion she has had for Western Nebraska and that is hard to find. She brought so much to our program both on and off the floor. That is what we are going to miss most about her leaving and moving on.

“The reason she came here is she wanted to go Division I and it was certainly her dream. That is what our program is all about and we are excited in having her go and playing at San Francisco. If there is any kid that worked harder and proven herself in the 21 years I have been here, it has been Tawny. There has not been a kid that has worked harder and proven herself more to get where she wants to go and succeeding then her. That is a huge accomplishment of what she has done and it means a lot to me of what she has done the last two years. I wish her a lot of luck and she will do well if she works hard.”

Drexler, who also was considering Seattle University, is excited for the opportunity to live her dream of playing Division I basketball.

“It has always been my dream to play Division I,” the 6-foot post player from Golden, Colo., said. “I am very excited to play at that level.”

Drexler averaged 8.89 points a game and 6 rebounds a game. She also shot nearly 50 percent from the field. What makes Drexler stand out the most, though, is her work ethic on the court, where she is not afraid to get battered and bruised in getting a ball. She finished with 48 steals this season and committed just 35 turnovers.

Drexler is anticipating in bringing that physical-style of play to San Francisco.

“I will always go after every ball that I possibly can,” she said. “I like playing down low, but it will be a lot more difficult at that level.”

Drexler capped off her season at WNCC in fine shape, having one of the best final month of the season. Drexler recorded three double-doubles in that seven-game stretch, including a 16-point, 12 rebounds performance against Eastern Wyoming. Drexler also had a season-high 22 points against Colby Community College.

Drexler was named to the Region IX all-tournament team as well as being an All-Region performer.

As a freshman, Drexler helped lead the Cougars to the national tournament, while averaging nine points and seven rebounds per. Drexler is hoping to lead the Dons to the national tournament.

“I hope so,” she said. “Of course, I feel like if we have a team that has the drive and passion, we have all the chance in the world to do it.”

San Francisco head coach Tanya Haave is excited to get someone of Drexler’s passion for basketball.

“Tawny is exactly what we need," said Haave of the 6-0, forward. "She brings with her the size, physical attributes, work ethic and attitude that we need for our program. Our staff and team are excited to have her join the Green and Gold family."

Drexler will still play the post position at San Francisco, but will also more outside a little bit more. Not only will the position change be different, she will also be further away from home.

“It will be a lot different. I definitely will miss my winters and the snow, but I can get used to it,”

San Francisco will be different from Colorado or even western Nebraska. But the biggest change will not having her family at her games.

“Definitely I will miss my family,” Drexler said while looking over at her mom with a tear starting to come from her eye. “That will be very difficult for me because my family has always been my biggest fans of course. It will be really hard, but I will succeed.”

WNCC baseball splits with Lamar, still in second place in conference race

LAMAR, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team’s seventh inning magic fell short Monday in the final two games of a four-game series with Lamar Community College that was played Sunday and Monday in Lamar, Colo.

In Monday’s opener, the Cougars scored four times in the seventh inning to register a come-from-behind 4-3 win. In the second game of a doubleheader, WNCC trailed 7-2 entering the final frame and came up one run short, falling 7-6.

The Cougars also split a pair of games on Sunday, falling 7-0 in game one before rallying with a fourth inning, four run output to register a 5-3 win.

WNCC is still in second place in the Empire Conference standings after the split, just two games ahead of Lamar Community College for that second spot. The top two teams will host first-round playoff games starting May 1.

The Cougars are 14-10 in conference standings, while Lamar is 13-12. Trinidad State leads the conference with a 20-5 mark. Northeastern Colorado is fourth at 9-14 after taking two from Otero on Monday. Otero and McCook are in fifth and sixth place with 13-15 and 8-21 marks. Only the top four squads make the regional playoffs.

WNCC coach Mike Jones said they played well, especially making comebacks. They just fell short, he said.

“We played alright. We rallied in both games,” he said. “Their pitcher did a good job of holding us down early. We came up with some clutch at bats in both games. In the first game, especially, we had some quality at bats and came out with the win.”

Monday’s first game definitely had a lot of drama. Lamar was shutting out the Cougars through six innings, holding a 3-0 lead. In the seventh inning, Scottsbluff’s Trace Marsden started things with a double, his second 2-bagger of the game. Vince Rouse followed with a single and then Josh Parker was walked to load the bases with no outs.

Jason Sloan then delivered a single to score Marsden to keep the bases loaded. Aurelio Monteagudo walked to force in the second run. Elvis Garcia then hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed two runs score on an error.

That was all WNCC needed as Cougar freshman Rodil Martinez shut down the Lopes’ bats in the seventh for the win. Martinez threw seven innings, allowing six hits and striking out two.

Three Cougars finished the game with two hits. Marsden and Alex Arias each went 2-for-4, while Sloan went 2-for-3. Marsden had two doubles in the contest.

The second game had drama as well. Unfortunately for WNCC, its seventh-inning comeback fell short.

WNCC was trailing 7-1 entering the sixth inning. That is when WNCC started their comeback. First, Monteagudo had a solo home run to cut the deficit to 7-2 after six innings.

The Cougars didn’t quit as they scored four times in the seventh. Lamar was its worst enemy in that inning as they loaded the bases. The Lopes, however, turned a double play allowing one run to score.

Sloan followed by reaching on an error that allowed another run to score for a 7-4 deficit. Monteagudo followed with a run-scoring double and then Garcia had a run-scoring single, but that was as close as they could get.

Victor Rubio picked up the loss on the mound, going five innings and striking out six.

Sunday’s games had just as much drama. After the Cougars dropped the first game 7-0, WNCC rebounded with a 4-run fourth inning to register a 5-3 win.

In the win, WNCC and Lamar were scoreless through three innings. Then Garcia changed the complexion of the game with a 3-run home run that scored slain and Monteagudo to give WNCC a 4-0 lead. The Cougars added a single run in the fifth.

Lamar fought back, scoring three times in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough.

Sam Diaz picked up the win for WNCC. Sloan paced the team with a 3-for-4 performance, including a double.

WNCC will be back in action Wednesday when they travel to Sterling, Colo., for one 9-inning contest. WNCC will then finish out the Empire Conference race with a 9-inning game Friday against McCook Community College beginning at 3 p.m., followed by a four-game series Saturday and Sunday against Trinidad State Junior College.

Sunday’s Games
WNCC 000 000 0 – 0
Lamar xxx xxx x – 7
LP – Kupfner.

WNCC 000 410 0 – 5 6 0
Lamar 000 003 0 – 3 4 3
WP – Diaz; 2B – WNCC (Sloan); HR – WNCC (Garcia).

Monday’s Games
WNCC 000 000 4 – 4 7 1
Lamar 200 010 0 – 3 6 1
WP – Martinez; 2B – WNCC (Marsden 2).

WNCC (23-23) 100 001 4 – 6 5 3
Lamar (23-20) 012 130 0 – 7 9 1
LP – Rubio; 2B – WNCC (Monteagudo); HR – WNCC (Monteagudo).

WNCC softball sweeps Colby in doubleheader action

COLBY, Kan. – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team picked up two more wins by sweeping Colby Community College on Monday.

WNCC received a sixth-inning 2-run home run by Katie Groves to register a 6-5 first-game win. Kelsey Garner tossed a 3-hitter in powering the Cougars to a 3-0 win over Colby in the second game. It was the fourth straight time WNCC has defeated Colby, after topping the Trojans 11-0 and 14-0 on Sunday.

In the opener, WNCC scored a run in five of the seven innings, holding a 4-0 through five innings. Colby added two runs in the bottom of the fifth and three runs in the sixth inning. WNCC’s two sixth inning runs proved crucial.

Brittany Chacon led off the inning by drawing a walk. Then, Groves delivered her 13^th home run of the season as she took the first pitch over the fence. The blast proved to be the game-winner.

Casey Simpson picked up the win, going five innings, allowing two runs, four hits and striking out one. Kelsey Garner earned the save, throwing two innings while striking out three.

Groves paced the team with a 3-for-4 performance with two runs scored, two RBIs, two doubles and a home run. Kelly Pearson also went 3-for-4 with three singles, a run scored and a RBI.

Also for WNCC, Sofia Gomez was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Megan Burditt had the other hit.

The second game was a little closer. WNCC scored three early runs and then rode the strong-arm pitching of Garner to pick up their 34^th win of the season. Garner struck out six and allowed just three hits in the contest.

WNCC opened the scoring early, scoring two first-inning runs. Groves led off with a single and later scored on an error. Adena Hagen followed with a double and scored on a Pearson single.

The Cougar’s lone run in the third inning started as Burditt reached on an error. Hagen then singled. Burditt then scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Pearson.

WNCC managed seven hits in the game. Hagen was the only Cougar with multiple hits. She was 3-for-4 with a runs scored, two singles and a double.

WNCC (34-16) will be back in action Wednesday when they face Hastings College junior varsity, followed by contests with Central Community College-Columbus on Thursday, Southeast Nebraska on Friday and then two to four games against a to-be-announced opponent on Saturday or Sunday.

First Game
WNCC 011 112 0 – 6 9
Colby 000 023 0 – 5 6
WP – Simpson, Save – Garner; 2B – WNCC (Groves 2, Gomez; HR – WNCC (Groves).

Second Game
WNCC (34-16) 201 000 0 – 3 7
Colby 000 000 0 – 0 3

WP – Garner; 2B – WNCC (Hagen).

WNCC baseball team splits with Lamar

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team is still in the driver’s seat in hosting a first-round Region IX tournament game after splitting with Lamar Community College Sunday afternoon.

The Cougar men fell 7-0 in the first game, but came back to register a 5-3 win in game two to split the doubleheader. WNCC is now 13-9 in Empire Conference action, while Lamar Community College is 12-11. Trinidad State Junior College leads the conference race with an 18-5 mark. Otero is 13-13, while Northeastern Colorado is 7-14 and McCook is 8-19.

The top four teams make the playoffs, which begin May 2 with the top two teams hosting the No. 3 and 4 seeds.

That is why it was important for the Cougars to get at least a sweep over the Runnin’ Lopes on Sunday. The two squads will have another doubleheader Monday afternoon.

In the first game, Lamar shut down the Cougar offense by registering the 7-0 win.

The second game was a different story as Sam Diaz picked up the win for the Cougars. The big blow, though, was freshman Elvis Garcia, who had a 3-run home run to help the Cougars to the win.

In other Region IX scores over the weekend, Trinidad won two of three from McCook. Trinidad won 4-1 on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, the two squads split with Trinidad winning the first game 7-5 before falling 7-5 in the second game.

Team Conf. Overall
Trinidad State 18-5 34-15
WNCC 13-9 22-22
Lamar 12-11 22-19
Otero 13-13 19-24
NE Colorado 7-14 15-23
McCook C.C. 8-19 17-30

WNCC softball pounds out six home runs, blanks Colby in doubleheader

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team pounded out 22 hits and had six home runs in taking a doubleheader from Colby Community College Sunday in Colby, Kan.The two wins was the team's 31st and 32nd wins of the season.

The No. 20 Cougars scored five times in the first inning in registering an 11-0 win in the first game. The second game saw the Cougars pound out five home runs, including two dingers each from sophomore Alec Voci and freshman Casey Simpson in registering the 14-0 win.

WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said the team came to play and really hit the ball. The also got some nice pitching performances from the circle.

In the opener, Casey Simpson picked up the win, going four innings and allowing three hits and striking out three.

Offensively, WNCC finished with seven hits, scoring in all five innings that they played. The big hit was Stephanie Townsend 2-run home run in the fourth inning the pushed the score to 9-0. Townsend, who pitched two innings as well, went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, four RBIs, a double and a home run.

Kelly Pearson also collected multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Also for WNCC, Brittany Chacon went 1-for-3 with a double, and Katie Groves went 0-1 with three runs scored and three walks.

WNCC kept the offensive going in the second game, pounding out 15 hits, including nine extra base hits.

Groves got the offense started in the second inning with a 3-run home run, her 12^th of the year to put WNCC up 4-3. Groves finished the contest 4-for-4 with two runs scored, four RBIs, two singles, a double and a home run.

After Groves home run, Voci and Simpson took over the hitting. Simpson had two 2-run shots in the game. The first home run coming in the third inning, while her second one coming in the fourth inning. Simpson finished the game 3-for-4 with three runs scored, four RBIs and two home runs.

Voci had a solo shot in the fourth inning and then launched a 2-run home run in the fifth inning. Voci went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, three RBIs and two home runs.

Also for WNCC, Pearson went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, Lauryn Smith went 1-for-1 with a double and RBI, and Tiffany Lookabill went 1-for-2 with a runs scored and a double.

Kelsey Garner and Townsend combined on a one hitter. Garner got the win, going three innings, while striking out three. Garner allowed the only hit, a second-inning single.

WNCC (32-16) will face Colby in another doubleheader Monday.

First Game
WNCC 511 22 – 11 7
Colby CC 000 00 – 0 3
WP – Simpson; 2B – WNCC (Pearson, Townsend, Chacon); HR – WNCC (Townsend).

Second Game
WNCC (32-16) 043 34 – 14 15
Colby CC 000 00 – 0 1
WP – Garner; 2B – WNCC (Groves, Smith, Pearson, Lookabill); HR – WNCC (Voci 2, Simpson 2, Groves).

WNCC softball wins 30th game of the year

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team picked up its 30^th win of the season, but at the same time saw its nine-game winning streak snapped Saturday to Butler County Community College.

The No. 20 Grizzlies topped the No. 20 Cougars 3-2 in game one, limiting WNCC’s bats to just five hits. In the nightcap, the Cougars scored four late runs to earn a 5-1 win, their 30^th of the year, and earned a split with Butler County on Friday in El Dorado, Kan.

The Cougars swept a doubleheader from Friends College junior varsity on Thursday, winning the first game 1-0 and then taking the second contest 8-6 in nine innings.

Friday’s action featured two evenly-matched, nationally-ranked teams. WNCC scored first as Katie Groves singled and scored on a Sofia Gomez single for a 1-0 lead. Butler came back with a run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.

Both teams then scored a single run in the fourth inning. The Cougars run saw Gomez get a single followed by Kelly Pearson rapping out a double. Gomez then scored on a Alyssa Hickey sacrifice fly for the 2-1 lead. Butler came back with a single run in the fourth and then the winning run in the fifth.

Kelsey Garner picked up the loss, scattering 10 hits, striking out six.

Gomez paced the Cougars with a 2-for-3 performance, including a run scored and an RBI. Groves, Garner and Pearson had the other hits for WNCC.

Both teams were in another dogfight in game two. Butler scored once in the first only to see WNCC tie the game in the second as Gomez singled and scored on a Tonya Atencio single.

WNCC added two more in the fourth and seventh inning. In the fourth, Atencio walked and Stephanie Townsend reached base on an error. Both runners scored on a Groves single. The Cougars scored the two seventh-inning runs on two hits as Adena Hagen and Gomez each had singles.

Casey Simpson picked up the win, allowing just three hits, while striking out five and walking five.

Gomez finished the game going 3-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI, while Atencio went 1-for-1 with a run scored, a RBI and two walks.

In Thursday’s contests against Friends College junior varsity, WNCC scored the only run they needed in the first inning. Groves reached base on an error, stole second base and then scurried home on a Gomez single.

The Cougars managed just four hits against a stiff wind that was blowing in. Gomez went 2-for-3 with a RBI. The other two hits came from Hickey and Atencio.

Garner picked up the win allowing just one hit, while striking out nine.

The second contest was a barn-burner as the Cougars won the contest in the ninth inning. WNCC trailed 5-4 entering the seventh inning. WNCC scored the tying run in that inning to force extra innings. After each team scored once in the eighth, WNCC added two runs in the ninth in dramatic fashion.

Brittany Chacon started things off after she was placed at second via the international tie-breaker rule. Groves sacrificed her to third and then Chacon scored on a Burditt triple. Burditt came around to score on a Pearson single.

Garner picked up the win, pitching the final two innings. Garner allowed one hit, a run and struck out five. Stephanie Townsend started and went three innings, giving up four hits, three runs and striking out two. Simpson followed by going four innings, allowing three hits, two runs and striking out five.

WNCC pounded out 10 hits in the win. Burditt went 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI and run scored, while Townsend went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a RBI. Garner also had an extra base hit, a double, in her 1-for-3 performance, while Chacon went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

WNCC is slated to play the Sterling College junior varsity Saturday, depending on the status of Sterling’s contest outcome Friday. The Cougars (30-16) will then play Garden City Community College and Colby Community College on Sunday, before playing Colby in a double dip on Monday.

Thursday’s Games
WNCC 100 000 0 – 1 4
Friends JV 000 000 0 – 0 1
WP – Garner.

WNCC 021 100 112 – 8 10
Friends JV 003 200 010 – 6 8
WP – Garner; 2B – WNCC (Townsend 2, Garner); 3B – WNCC (Burditt).

Friday’s Games
WNCC 100 100 0 – 2 5
Butler County 100 110 x – 3 10
LP – Garner; 2B – WNCC (Pearson).

WNCC (30-16) 010 200 2 – 5 7
Butler (24-14) 100 000 0 – 1 3
WP – Simpson.

WNCC's Groves named NJCAA player of the week

Western Nebraska Community College's Katie Groves compiled a .684 batting average in six games last week in helping the Cougars run their winning streak to seven games and, thus, was named the NJCAA player of the week.

Groves, a freshman infielder from Bluffdale, Utah, capitalized on her recent move to the lead-off hitter position last week as the first baseman had 13 hits of 19 at bats, including two triples and a game-tying first-pitch solo home run against Otero Junior College. Groves also scored 11 runs, drove in 11 RBIs, walked six times and stole two based to help the Cougars to a 27-15 record.

Groves' home run against Otero in the bottom of the seventh inning helped the Cougars win 3-2. It also was her 11th home run of the season, the team leader. She is also batting .476 for the year and leads the team with 51 runs scored, 54 RBIs and 20 walks.

Audrey Workman of Tavapai was named the NJCAA Pitcher of the week for throwing her second no-hitter of the year against Central Arizona College.

Garner inks with Troy University, Voci headed to Adams State

Western Nebraska Community College softball players Kelsey Garner and Alec Voci will be continuing their softball careers at the next level after signing letter of intents last week.

Garner, who was the freshman and player of the year last season, will be pitching at the NCAA Division I level after signing with Troy University, the same school that former Chadron State College softball coach Jim Webb is now an assistant.

Voci will continue her playing days at Adams State in Alamosa, Colo. Adams State is a member of the RMAC conference.

Both softball players are excited to be continuing their softball careers. Garner is expected to be the Trojans No. 2 hurler next season.

“It is a good program and I think it is the best place to continue my softball career,” Garner said. “They already have a No. 1 pitcher, who has been there since she was a freshman. I will be their No. 2 going in.”

Garner has had a sterling tw0-year career at WNCC, where she will practically hold every WNCC pitching record. In two seasons, Garner has a 44-10-3 pitching record, while fanning 428 batters. Garner had a career earned run average of 1.90.

Last season, Garner helped the Cougars to the national tournament, while collecting a 31-4 record as a freshman and fanning 259 batters, a single-season WNCC record. Garner was also named the freshman and player of the year for Region IX.

“I think I had a good two years here,” the Regina, Saskatchewan, pitcher said. “I had had a lot of success and there has been a lot of competition. Hopefully, I can learn from this and bring it to Troy and see even better competition and get even better. I will definitely miss playing here.”

Garner had a lot of schools that were interested in her talents, but decided on the southern school located in Troy, Alabama. She is excited for the opportunity to pitch at the Division I level. She said that coming here for two years has prepared her for that next level.

“I think it will be really tough. I will have to get better and work hard,” she said. “I don’t think if I went to a four-year school right off the bat I would have been ready for it mentally or as a pitcher at all.”
Voci, who came to WNCC from Colorado Springs, Colo., said she decided on Adams State because it is close to home.

“I decided to go to Adams State because I played for coach Dervin Taylor [head coach] before and their program is really good, plus it is close to home.’
Voci has appeared in 87 games as a Cougar and in two seasons with 39 runs scored. Last season, Voci smashed seven home runs, which was third on the team. For her career, she has eight doubles and eight home runs.

Garner and Voci were key members on last year’s Region IX championship team and have a career record of 81-25. Last season WNCC was 54-10 and this year they are 27-15.

“It felt really good to go to nationals as freshman because all that hard work actually came to success and it paid off in the long run,” Voci said. “It was just a great feeling to win Region IX, especially beating Otero 6-0.”

Garner added, ““It was an eye-opener coming to college and going to nationals our first year here. I just think that we saw really good ball and it showed us how good we can be.”

Garner and Voci are just two of three players back from last year’s Region IX championship team and are now looked upon as leaders. Garner said it is a different role, but they learned what needs to be done by last year’s sophomores, who set the precedence for future players.

“When we were freshmen, we looked up to our sophomore class like we wanted to be as good as they were,” Garner said. “If everyone does that when they come in as freshmen and try to be as good as the sophomores, I think it will keep getting better and the sophomores will just keep setting the precedence.”

Voci said that what helped her the most was getting pushed to be a winner.

“I am going to miss most is how all of us girls are coming together and just how coach pushes us when she knows when we can be better.

The Cougars finished the home portion of their schedule last Saturday and both Garner and Voci were instrumental in getting wins against Trinidad State. Garner picked up both pitching wins, striking out 16, including 10 batters in the first-game, and then striking out six batter while facing just nine batters in the second game.

Three volleyball sophomores officially sign with Division I schools

The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team is becoming a pipeline of volleyball talent to the NCAA Division I level.

All three sophomores on this year’s Region IX championship team will be headed to the Division I level after officially signing letter of intents last week.

Fatima Balza and Nayka Benitez, who both verbally committed last December, officially signed to attend two top-level volleyball programs. Balza, the 6-foot-3 middle hitter is officially a Nittany Lion after inking with the NCAA national champions Penn State. Benitez is staying in-state after signing with Creighton University.

Paloma Alvarez, the third volleyball sophomore, will also compete at the Division I level after signing with Western Carolina University.

Alvarez, who transferred to WNCC from Colby Community College, is excited to be able to play at the Division I level. Alvarez said she wouldn’t have had that opportunity if it wasn’t for WNCC.

“Being here and even going to nationals which was a very big experience for me because I have I have never been to a national tournament it is pretty big,” the 5-foot-10 outside hitter said. “I hope I can bring that to the school I am I going to know and help improve the program and help to get them big.”

While Western Carolina isn’t a high level volleyball program, it is a program that Alvarez is happy with. She was also leaning towards attending the University of North Florida.

“It was kind of hard because it was between them and UNF,” she said. “Even though they are small and kind of unknown schools, they each had good things. I choose Western because it goes more with my personality and how I am, and I really think I can help them.”

Last season for the Cougars, Alvarez finished with 494 kills in 172 sets. She also served 120 points with 51 aces. She also finished with 114 blocks.

Western Carolina finished last season with a 6-26 record under head coach Manuel Concepcion, who used to coach at Colby Community College. Concepcion is originally from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, where Alvarez is from.

While Alvarez will be attending a team that is on the rise, Balza and Benitez are headed to schools that are well known. Balza will be joining a Nittany Lion team that went 38-0, including topping Nebraska in the national semi-finals in five sets, in capturing back-to-back national titles.

Balza is not intimidated by the success of the Penn State program. She is just going to go in and play her role.

“The principal reason I chose to go to Penn State is because of the coach,” she said. “He told me he doesn’t want a player that carries a team, because everyone has their own role. He wants me to go there and play and not carry the team.”

Balza is excited to be going from one national championship team to another. WNCC volleyball won a national title in 2007.

“That is so good [from going to one championship team to another),” she said. “It will still be hard because I have to practice hard. It will also be different because it is totally different levels.”

“This year, the Cougars won a school record 59 matches and finished third at the national tournament, topping No. 1 ranked Iowa Western Community College in five sets. Balza was also named an NJCAA first-team all-American.

Balza also established herself as one of the top hitters in school history becoming only one of eight players to notch over 1,000 kills in her career. Balza had 1,055 total kills, including a team-leading 632 this season.

Balza also led this year’s team in service points, finishing with 375 points, including 64 aces. She had a service percentage of 90 percent. Balza also had 227 total blocks, which was second overall in the record book, just behind Silvia Oliveria’s 433 blocks back in the 2000-01 seasons. She also finished this season with 57 solo blocks.

Balza also finished this season with 152 digs and had a hitting percentage of .466.

Balza is slated to arrive at Penn State May 18 to begin summer workouts.

As for Benitez, the 5-4 libero, who also was a NJCAA first-team all-American, had plenty of colleges she was looking at. She was also leaning towards the University of South Florida so she could be closer to home.

“I choose Creighton because when I went there to visit, the team was nice and I really liked it,” she said. “That school is like a family, just like here. I think I will be comfortable. I am excited because maybe I will see them again. It will be a new experience.”

Benitez is not worried about following in another former Cougar’s footsteps at Creighton in Bianca Rivera. Rivera finished her stellar career at Creighton earning honorable mention all-American honors by the AVCA. Benitez earned second team AVCA all-American honors this past fall.

“That is no big deal [following in Bianca’s footsteps],” she said. “I know I can do the work and try to be just as good. I really don’t want people to compare me to her so I am going to work hard and do my work. I am not worrying about that. It will help me in some way, but it is not a big deal. I still have to work hard in trying to get my position. I think I will do it.”

Benitez had a stellar two years at WNCC at the libero position, helping the team to 115 wins in her two years at WNCC.

Benitez finished this year at the school’s all-time leader in aces served, collecting 250 in her two years. She had 142 as a freshman and finished this season with 108. Rivera finished her career at WNCC with 188 aces.

Benitez also collected 1,110 career digs, including 539 this past season. She is just one of nine volleyball players in WNCC history to collect over 1,000 digs. Rivera finished with 1,425 digs when she played for WNCC in 2005 and 2006. Benitez, who played in 301 games, also had 672 points.

WNCC scores five late-inning runs to topple NJC on the road

STERLING, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team scored five times in the final two innings to register a come-from-behind 5-4 win against Northeastern Junior College Monday afternoon in Sterling, Colo.

The win pushes the Cougars Empire Conference record to 12-7 and 21-20 overall. The Cougars are currently in second place in the conference race behind Trinidad State’s 16-4 record and just two games ahead of Lamar Community College, who is at 11-9.

WNCC’s win Monday saw the Cougars facing a 4-0 deficit through seven innings. WNCC coach Mike Jones said the way his team won the game was outstanding.

“This turns out to be a really big win in the manner that we won the ball game. Being shut out through seven innings and then coming out in the eighth to string together some hits. We got a real big hit out of Josh Parker to drive in three runs. That was outstanding. Once we got momentum going, we really got confident and we were able to stop them. Victor Rubio comes into the game and shuts them down to give us an opportunity to win.”

It was the eighth inning where the Cougars scored four times on five hits to tie the game. Oscar Rodriquez started the comeback with a single followed by singles by Vince Rouse and Jared Baros to load the bases. Parker then came through with a triple that plated three runs.

Then, with no outs, Josh Sloan singled up the middle to score Parker with the tying run.

WNCC took the lead in the ninth inning on just one hit. With one out, Rouse singled, stole second and was awarded third base on a balk call. With two outs, Parker hit a hot shot and reached first on a throwing error, scoring Rouse from third for the go ahead run.

Jones was elated to see his team come back from a 4-0 deficit for the win, something this team has done all year in coming back from deficits.

"It has really grown amongst the team in the regard that we don’t panic,” he said. “Just because we are not hitting early, nobody is losing focus, nobody is losing confidence. We understand we are a good offensive team. Maybe we need to see the pitcher one or two at bats before we will really get to them. As long as we continue to pitch and play defense and let our offense settle in we will be O.K.”

The Cougars, however, were in trouble early, letting the Plainsmen score two times in the first inning on just one hit. NJC went up 4-0 as they scored twice in the sixth inning on three hits, including a solo home run by Cory Miller.

Victor Rubio then came in and shut down the Plainsmen bats to pick up the win in relief of Rodil Martinez. Rubio went 3 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Martinez also pitched well, allowing five hits and giving up three runs.

Jones was pleased with his two pitchers, after a big first-inning error gave the Plainsmen a 2-0 lead.

“Rodil pitched a good ball game, too,” he said. “We made one big, big mistake in the first inning and gave up two runs with that error. But Rodil didn’t lose focus. He kept his composure and was able to pitch six strong innings”

Offensively for the Cougars, Anthony Paniagua and Rouse each went 2-for-4. Rouse had two singles, while Paniagua had two early singles. Parker finished the game 1-for-5 with a triple and three RBIs, while Baros was 1-for-4 with a runs scored.

WNCC will next be in action Wednesday when they host McCook Community College in a conference game beginning at 2 p.m. at Cleveland Field in one 9-inning game.

“We are still in the No. 2 spot with a lot of big ball games left,” Jones said. “We can’t lose focus right now with McCook coming in on Wednesday and then we have a huge four games with Lamar on the weekend on the road. It should get interesting.”

WNCC (21-20) 000 000 041 – 5 11 1
NJC (15-23) 200 002 000 – 4 9 1
WP – Rubio, LP – Justin Huggins; 2B – NJC (Mike Goldy); 3B – WNCC (Parker), NJC (Scott Dalrymple); HR – NJC (Cory Miller).

WNCC softball earns sweep of Trinidad State

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team earned at least a share of the conference championship after sweeping through Trinidad State Junior College Saturday at Volunteer Field.

The Cougars scored six times in the second inning and Kelsey Garner recorded nine strikeouts to lift WNCC to an 8-4 first-game win. In the second of a twinbill, Garner and Casey Simpson combined for nine strike outs in powering the Cougars to a 9-3 win and raising their overall record to 27-15. It was WNCC’s seventh straight victory.

“For us, we want to be Region IX champions and not just the regular season champs,” WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “We want to prove to everyone that we are good enough that we can be a champion. All week we just told them to do what we do and it will take care of itself. The pressure is off of us. We have proved we should be a co-champion, if not champion. We will see what happens this weekend if Dawson finds a way to take one from Lamar and that puts us in the No. 1 seed [entering the regional tournament]. I don’t know if that matters in the tournament, but it is a lot of pride and shows where our program is going and where we want it going such as back-to-back champions. “

Saturday’s doubleheader sweep, and last home game of the season, brought how many heroes throughout the line up.

“Casey threw well. She had a couple of bumps in the road, but we knew they were going to score runs because they hit the ball well. They hit the ball well in the first game, too. It was just a matter of when were we going to come out of our shell and put some things together,” Winn-Ratliff said. “Alec [Voci] comes up with a big double in the second game to start off a big inning. She hasn’t seen a lot of time and that was great for her, especially on sophomore day.

“We were just piecing things together today. All-in-all, it is about bending and not breaking, and we did that again today. They went up early in both games and we allowed ourselves to do what we do best to get back in the game. I thought at the plate we were much more patient with the count. We lowered our strikeouts from the last time we played them and made their pitchers work a lot harder than before. We won twice [earlier this season] at their place but the games were in the seventh inning. It is nice that we didn’t have to rely on those big seventh-inning, hero-type games. We saw some kids do some things that hadn’t been doing things.”

In the opener, Trinidad State got on the board as Alyse Billick hammered a Garner fast-ball over the fence for a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

WNCC responded quickly, plating six runs in the bottom of the second inning to lead 6-1. The inning started as Alyssa Hickey was plunked by a pitch. A couple of batters later, Katie Groves rapped out a single that scored two runs. After Lauryn Smith got on by an error, Adena Hagen singled scoring another run.

WNCC added two insurance runs in the fifth inning to go up 8-1. Brittany Chacon had a two-out double off the fence to start the rally. Groves then roped a triple down the rightfield line and scored on an overthrow to third base.

Trinidad sliced the lead in half with three runs in the seventh, including a 3-run home run by Leah Hanson.

Garner picked up the win in the circle, allowing just four hits while striking out 10.

WNCC finished the contest with eight hits. Groves went 3-for-3 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a triple, while Hagen went 2-for-4. Chacon finished the contest 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a double.

Garner also picked up the win in the second contest in relief of Simpson. Garner entered with a 3-1 deficit and faced just nine batters, striking out six.

In the meantime, the Cougar bats woke up after falling behind 3-1 in the fifth inning. The bottom half of the frame saw the Cougars score four times to jump in front 5-3. Tonya Atenciio started things with a single followed by Chacon earning a walk. Then, with one out, Lauryn Smith tripled to left field to tie the score.

After Smith scored on a passed ball, Kelly Pearson single to right field to score Hagen for the fifth run.

WNCC added another four runs it the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. Voci started things with a hard-hit double to left centerfield. Groves later had a run-scoring single, followed by back-to-back, run-scoring doubles by Smith and Hagen for the final margin.

Garner gets the win, allowing no hits and getting six strike outs in three innings of work. Simpson allowed just six hits and struck out three in her time in the circle.

WNCC finished with 10 hits, led by Smith and Hagen with two hits each. Smith was 2-for-4 with a double, triple, two runs scored and three RBIs, while Hagen was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a double, RBI, and a stolen base.

WNCC (27-15) will next be in action later this week when they face Friends College J.V on Thursday, followed by contests with Sterling College J.V , Colby Community College and the 2-day Colby Tournament.

First Game
Trinidad 010 000 3 – 4 4 2
WNCC 060 020 x – 8 8 1
WP – Garner, LP – Julia Diehl; 2B – WNCC (Chacon; 3B – WNCC (Groves); HR – Trinidad (Billick, Hanson).

Second Game
Trindiad (21-16) 001 020 0 – 3 6 2
WNCC (27-15) 000 144 x – 9 10 2
WP – Garner, LP – Rachel Lovato; 2B – WNCC (Smith, Hagen, Voci); 3B – WNCC (Smith).

WNCC baseball splits with Northeastern Colorado

The Western Nebraska Community College responded with some timely hits in game two to earn a split with Northeastern Junior College Saturday afternoon at Cleveland Field.

The Cougars managed just four hits and watched the Plainsmen light up the WNCC pitchers for 18 hits and 12 runs in a 12-1 first game loss. In the second contest, WNCC had six hits and received a superb pitching performance from Sam Diaz to earn the split 3-1.

WNCC is now 11-7 in conference play and still three games out of first place behind Trinidad (16-4). Trinidad and Otero Junior College split a four-game series this weekend.

“We are still trying to hang onto that number two spot right now,” WNCC coach Mike Jones said. “This conference is a battle. Every day you go out there in conference doubleheaders, it is tough. Nobody is going to let up and I think it will just get better. The teams are going to put more and more pressure on each other. It is important for us to keep our composure in these games. That is the biggest thing, to be able to stay under control, keep our heads on straight and play fundamental baseball.”

WNCC had an opportunity to slice Trinidad’s lead to just two games, with an important four-game series against Trinidad coming up at the end of the month. NJC, however, had other ideas as the Plainsmen are battling to stay in the midst of a playoff berth.

“Northeastern did a real good job in game one. They put up 18 hits against us and we didn’t have anything for their left hander. That is twice now that he has pitched real good against us,” Jones said. “But to bounce right back in game two with Sam Diaz giving us a great outing as a starter with some good defense behind him, was good. We were able to rally for some hits there late in the game.”

NJC took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on three hits. WNCC sliced the lead in half in the second inning. Oscar Rodriguez walked and scored on a Rich Miller single.

The Plainsmen came back scoring 10 runs in the fourth through sixth inning to put the game away. NJC had five hits in the big fourth inning, where they scored three runs, including a double by Cory Miller.

NJC then scored one in the fifth, before scoring six in the sixth inning on eight hits, including a double by Nick Nguyen and a triple by Scott Dalrymple to put the game away.

Tim Kupfner suffered the loss, allowing eight hits while striking out one. NJC’s Matt Klein picked up the win, striking out seven and scattering four hits – all singles by four different Cougar batters.

NJC continued rolling offensively in the second game, scoring once in the first inning. Mike Golby led off with a double and scored on a throwing error for the quick 1-0 lead.

WNCC had a prime scoring opportunity to score in the third inning. Trace Marsden led off with a triple to left field. After Josh Parker walked, both runners were stranded.

The Cougars finally opened up offensively, scoring three times on three hits in the fifth inning. Marsden started the rally by getting walked. Then, with two outs, Jason Sloan delivered a clutch single to score Marsden with the tying run. Aurelio Monteagudo and Elvis Garcia followed with back –to-back run-scoring doubles for the 3-1 lead.

Rodil Martinez and Victor Ribio then came in and pitched the sixth and seventh innings to help the Cougars get the win.

Sam Diaz collected the win by going five innings, allowing five hits and striking out two. Diaz threw just 65 pitches before giving way to Martinez in the sixth inning. Martinez allowed two hits and struck out one, while Rubio pitched the seventh inning to get the save.

WNCC pounded out six hits in the contest. Marsden went 2-for-2 with a triple, a walk and a run scored.

WNCC (20-20) will next be in action Monday when they travel to Sterling, Colo., to face Northeastern Junior College in a 9-inning contest beginning at 1 p.m. WNCC will then be at home to face McCook Community College on Wednesday before traveling to Lamar Community College over the weekend for a key four-game series.

“We have to go to their [NJC} place and it is a little tougher to play there sometimes,” Jones said. “We will throw Rodil Martinez and we will have a strong bull pen behind him. We are looking for good things on Monday.”

First Game
NJC 200 316 – 12 18 2
WNCC 010 000 – 1 6 0WP – Klein, LP – Kupfner; 2B – NJC (Miller 2, Nguyen).

Second Game
NJC (15-22) 100 000 0 – 1 8 0
WNCC (20-20) 000 030 x – 3 6 2
WP – Diaz, LP – Ty Cardona; Save – Rubio; 2B – WNCC (Monteagudo, Garcia), NJC (Golby); 3B – WNCC (Marsden).

WNCC softball team tops Otero in doubleheader

Katie Groves’ 11^th home run of the season couldn’t have come at a better time for the Western Nebraska Community College softball team Wednesday in their conference doubleheader against Otero Junior College.

Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh in the first game against Otero, Groves took the first pitch and sent it deep over the left centerfield fence. The blast helped the Cougars earn a 3-2 win against the Rattlers Wednesday at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff.

WNCC carried the momentum of the first-game dramatics into a 9-1 5-inning defeat over Otero Junior College to move the Cougars to 10-4 in conference play and 25-15 overall. The Cougars will have two more conference games left against Trinidad State Junior College on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

“I think if we would have lost that first game, the second game momentum would have changed drastically,” the freshman from Bluffdale, Utah, said. “We needed to win that first game to give our pitchers some support and show them that we want it and we are going to fight for them.”

The Cougars, trailing 2-1 in their final at bat, needed a rally. In the previous six innings, the Cougars managed to strand six runners in scoring position and manage to connect for five hits.

Groves was anticipating a pitch that she could take out of the ball park from Otero pitcher Jordan Hathorne. She got it.

“I was thinking, ‘Please throw me a ball that I actually can swing at’,” she said. “At some point, I knew she had to bring me something instead of just walking me. I didn’t get very many good pitches all game and then all of a sudden, come the seventh inning with the game on the line, she gave me a pitch that I could get a hold of. And, it went.”

That home run, though, only tied the game. Lauryn Smith followed Groves home run by getting plunked with a pitch on the elbow. A couple pitches later, freshman Adena Hagen burned the outfield, stroking a double to the fence that scored Smith from first with the winning run.

WNCC did have to fight from behind the entire game in the opener. Otero took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on just one hit and three walks. After that, though, Kelsey Garner settled in and shut down the Otero bats, allowing just three hits the rest of the way. Garner also struck out nine Rattlers, including five of six batters at one stretch.

The Cougars sliced the lead in half in the third inning. Groves led off with a walk and scored on Hagen’s double to left field. Neither team score again until the bottom of the seventh.

Hagen and Groves finished the game with two hits apiece. Groves went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two walks, a RBI and a home run; while Hagen went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. WNCC managed just three other hits after that.

The second game saw the Cougars start the offense from the get-go and never let up.

“The second game, we decided after our between games meeting, that we were going to go out there and take it to them. We were sick of coming back and pull it out. It was time that we made a statement,” Groves said. “They [Otero] were joking around and laughing a little bit in game one. They thought they had it won. Then all of a sudden there it was, the win was ours. You could see their entire faces the next game that they were down.”

WNCC scored two runs in the first inning. Groves led off by reaching on a throwing error. Smith then singled. Hagen then scored Groves with a sacrifice fly and Smith came around to score on a ground out for the 2-0 lead.

Otero sliced the lead in half in the second. With one out, Taylor Todacheene walked and scored on a Kristen Gretner double. That would be it for the Otero offense, as Casey Simpson shut down the Otero bats, tossing a five hitter, while striking out three.

WNCC also put the game away in the third inning by plating six runs on eight hits. Groves got things started by singling to left field, followed by Smith getting a single. Hagen scored both runners with a triple.

Sofia Gomez followed with a double that hit the fence to make the score 5-1. Kelly Pearson and Alyssa Hickey came through with singles before Garner was walked to load the bases with just one out. Tonya Atencia and Brittany Chacon followed with run-scoring singles to make the score 8-1.

WNCC put added another run in the fourth inning. Hagen led off with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Hickey to go up by eight runs.

WNCC finished the contest with 10 hits, including three extra base hits. Hagen finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs, two runs scored, a double and a triple. Smith ended the contest 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Groves went 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

WNCC (25-15) will take its five-game winning streak into Saturday’s home finale against Trinidad State Junior College and Groves is hoping the team comes out ready to play.

“Every win is good and it is nicer to have a big lead and keep a big lead then hope we can pull it out at the end,” Groves said. “We are going to go out there [on Saturday] and give it our best shot for the crowd and the sophomores and hope to get two wins.”

First Game
Otero 200 000 0 – 2 4 1
WNCC 001 000 2 – 3 7 2
WP – Garner, LP – Jordan Hathorne; 2B – WNCC (Hagen), Otero (Regina Aragon, Ally Goniea); HR – WNCC (Groves).

Second Game
Otero (16-17) 010 00 – 1 5 1
WNCC (25-15) 206 1x – 9 10 0
WP – Simpson, LP – Shannon Traxinger; 2B – WNCC (Hagen, Gomez); 3B – WNCC (Hagen).

WNCC softball shuts out McCook in doubleheader sweep

McCOOK – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team tuned up nicely for Wednesday’s conference games against Otero Junior College by scoring 39 runs in a doubleheader sweep over McCook Community College Tuesday on the road.

In the opener, Casey Simpson struck out 13 and the Cougar bats erupting for nine second-inning runs in posting a 16-0 win. WNCC was just as lethal in the second game, rapping out 15 hits in securing a 23-0 win.

The Cougars will right back on the diamond Wednesday as they host Otero Junior College in conference contests. First pitch for the contests is 2 p.m. at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff.

WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said the games against Otero are crucial for the regional tournament.

“These games will determine our seed for the regional tournament next month,” she said.

Winn-Ratliff said while the Cougars hit well, they also took advantage of scoring opportunities. WNCC had 22 hits in the two contests, but were helped by 33 McCook walks.

In the opener, WNCC quickly took control scoring once in the first inning and then plated nine runs in the second inning to take a 10-0 lead. The Cougars managed three more runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Simpson also threw a sterling contest, allowing just one hit. The freshman from Nokomis, Saskatchewan also struck a season high 13 batters. In fact, Simpson was responsible for 13 of the 15 outs in the run-shortened contest. The other two outs were a fly out and a ground out.

Offensively, Lauryn Smith went 2-for-3 with a double, four RBIs and two runs scored, while Katie Groves finished 2-for-4 with a runs scored, two RBIs, a single and a triple.

Tiffany Lookabill also had a nice showing, going 1-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBIs and two walks.

Alyssa Hickey finished with three runs scored and an RBI without getting an official at bat. Hickey was walked three times and hit by a pitch in her four plate appearances.

WNCC was even more explosive offensively in game two, scoring 23 runs on 15 hits. The Cougars opened the contest scoring seven times in the first inning and then put up 14 runs in the fifth inning.

Stephanie Townsend also controlled the McCook batters from the circle in getting the win.. The freshman from Roosevelt, Utah, allowed two hits, while striking out three. The Cougar defense also allowed just three Indian baserunners.

Groves, the team leader in batting average, home runs and RBIs, led the team with a 3-for-4 performance, including three singles, three runs scored, three RBIs and a walk.

Three other players also contributed two hits. Townsend and Megan Burditt each went 2-for-2, while Smith went 2-for-3. Smith finished with two singles, two walks, two RBIs and four runs scored. Townsend had a double, three walks, two runs scored and two RBIs, while Burditt had two singles, two runs scored and two RBIs.

Hickey finished the night without a plate appearance for the second straight contest, as the freshman from Boulder, Colo., was walked three times and hit by a pitch another time. Kelly Pearson also added a double in the win, while going 1-for-2.

WNCC (23-15) is tied for the conference lead with Lamar Community College with 8-4 records. Otero, today’s conference opponent, is 8-6 in conference play and 16-16-15 overall. Otero and WNCC split a doubleheader back on March 15 with Otero winning the first game 3-2 before WNCC won the second 5-3.

First Game
WNCC 190 33 – 16 7
McCook 000 00 – 0 1
WP – Simpson; 2B – Smith; 3B – Groves.

Second Game
WNCC (23-15) 702 0(14) – 23 15
McCook 000 00 – 0 2
WP – Townsend; 2B – Pearson, Townsend.

Cougar baseball drops doubleheader to Otero

Submitted by Jeremy Woznick, Star-Herald Sports Reporter

LA JUNTA, Colo. - The Region IX baseball standings grew a little tighter after Otero Junior College posted a pair of one-run wins over Western Nebraska Community College on Monday afternoon in La Junta, Colo.

The wins pulled the Rattlers into a virtual tie with the Cougars for the third position in the conference standings. The top four teams in the conference advance to the regional tournament.
The two teams will face off in another doubleheader today beginning at noon.

Otero held off WNCC by a score of 3-2 in game one on Monday before Nike Arapkiles blasted a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh to give the Rattlers a 5-4 win in game two.

"They were good, intense, conference games," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "We had plenty of opportunities offensively in both games, but just didn't get enough big hits when we needed them."

In game one, Tim Kupfner proved to be the hard-luck loser on the mound for WNCC. Kupfner struck out nine and allowed just five hits in six innings of work.

The Cougars jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Elvis Garcia drove in the game's first run. Otero answered with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth to take a 3-1 advantage.

WNCC threatened in the seventh by loading the bases with no outs. Trace Marsden's run-scoring, sacrifice fly pulled the Cougars within 3-2, but that would be as close as WNCC would get.

Aurelio Monteagudo paced WNCC at the plate by going 2-for-3 with two singles. Alex Arias added a double for the Cougars.

"We got a great pitching performance from Kupfner in game one. He pitched a great ball game," Jones said. "We definitely had our chances throughout the game, especially in the seventh."

In game two, WNCC managed to hold leads on two different occasions, including 2-0 in the first inning. Otero answered with three runs in the bottom of the first before Monteagudo blasted a two-run home run in the top of the third to put the Cougars back in front 4-3. It was Monteagudo's team-leading ninth homer of the season.

Otero managed to scratch across a single run in the bottom of the third to knot the score up. Arapkiles' home run in the bottom of the seventh put an abrupt end to the contest. Arapkiles, Otero's cleanup hitter, went 4-for-8 at the plate in the doubleheader.

Jared Baros went 3-for-3 to pace WNCC offensively in game two. Garcia and Jason Sloan both went 2-for-4. Garcia and Arias both tallied a triple, while Arias drove in a pair of runs.

Sam Diaz was saddled with the loss on the mound out of the bullpen. He allowed one run on just two hits, while striking out three. Ben Doran started the game for WNCC. David Castle also saw action on the mound.

Jones said Rodil Martinez and Victor Rubio will start on the mound in today's games for WNCC.

Game One
WNCC 100 000 1 - 2 6 2
Otero 000 120 x - 3 5 0
WP - Caleb Monteil; LP - Tim Kupfner (3-2).
2B - Alex Arias.

Game Two
WNCC (17-19) 202 000 0 - 4 9 1
Otero (16-19) 301 000 1 - 5 10 1
LP - Sam Diaz (1-2).
HR - Aurelio Monteagudo. 3B - Elvis Garcia, Arias.

Monteagudo enjoying a big season on the diamond for WNCC baseball team

Submitted by Jeremy Woznick, Star-Herald Sports Reporter

There's not much more Aurelio Monteagudo enjoys in life than playing baseball.

"For me, baseball is my life," said Monteagudo, a WNCC sophomore from Miami. "I've been playing baseball for as long as I can remember. It's always been part of my life growing up."
His enjoyment level for the game is at an all-time high this year as he is in the midst of one of his best seasons on the diamond. Monteagudo currently leads the Cougars in six offensive categories, including home runs with eight. He also is tops on the team in batting average, slugging percentage, hits, runs batted in and total bases.

"He's been having a monstrous season for us," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "He has really grown up and matured this year, not only as a ball player but as a person as well. He's really impressed me with his work ethic and his dedication to the game."

As one of just a handful of players back from last year's team that missed out on qualifying for the regional tournament, Monteagudo has proven to be a big reason the 17-17 Cougars have won their last eight conference games heading into Monday's doubleheader at Otero Junior College. WNCC is currently third in the conference standings, just a few games behind front-runner Trinidad State Junior College.

"It definitely has been a good season so far," Monteagudo said. "We have a good group of guys that work hard and train hard. We've been coming together as a team, and that's something we didn't do last year. If we keep working hard, I think we can win a lot more games."

Last season Monteagudo admits he didn't put up the type of numbers he should have. Like many freshmen, he struggled with the speed of the college game. In particular, he had a hard time adjusting to the pitching, specifically the amount of breaking balls he was faced with in the batter's box.

"Last year I wasn't prepared for the pitching," Monteagudo said. "In all of my at-bats I would see a lot of breaking balls, and it was hard for me to adjust."

At the end of the season, Monteagudo went home to Miami and devoted himself to a summer full of training in order to make the adjustment to the pitches he would see at the collegiate level. When he returned to the ball club this year, the hard work he put in was quickly noticed.

"As a hitter, he's really learned a lot about how to take an approach at the plate," Jones said. "He knows what pitches to look for to hit, and he knows how to make the adjustments to what pitchers are doing to him. He's just becoming a real smart ball player.

"He's come up with some huge hits that were very important for us. He's driven in a lot of runs, and he's really our offensive leader right now."

Hitting third in what's become a powerful Cougar lineup, Monteagudo still sees his share of breaking balls. But unlike last year, he's been able to patiently adjust with a hitting style that has him batting .404 with 40 hits and 34 runs batted in.

"I knew this year that I still would see a lot of breaking pitches. But I'm just more relaxed than I was last year," Monteagudo said. "I'm adjusting a lot better. I still need to try and stay back a little bit longer on the ball, but I'm adjusting better than last year. If it's in my zone and I like it, I'm going to swing."

About the only thing that has really been able to slow Monteagudo this season was a recent bout with a chest cold. He didn't make the trip with the team to Colby, Kan., on Wednesday. However, Jones expects him to be back in the lineup when the Cougars head south to take on the Rattlers in La Junta, Colo., on Monday and Tuesday.

As one of the sophomores on an extremely young ball club, Monteagudo has also been trying to help the freshmen on the team by sharing his experiences from a season ago.

"He's sharing his knowledge and letting guys know some of the mistakes he made as a freshman," Jones said. "He's really stepped up and been important in that role."

Monteagudo is also leading the Cougars in slugging percentage at .717. He also has scored 27 runs, hit seven doubles, has 71 total bases and owns an on-base percentage of .521.

Basketball clinic postponed

Due to the weather, the WNCC Boy's Basketball Clinic scheduled for April 4 from 1-4 p.m. at Cougar Palace has been postponed until a later date. Notification of the new date will be posted and published.

WNCC softball splits with Lamar

LAMAR, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team pounded out 16 hits in the second game of a doubleheader against Lamar Community College on Friday in Lamar, Colo.

The Cougar’s 16-hit offensive attack earned the team an 8-3 win to earn a split against the Lopes. In the opener, WNCC managed just four hits in falling 4-2. Both Lamar and WNCC are tied for the conference lead with 8-4 marks.

“We played very well in game two,” WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “We got a good performance in the circle from Kelsey Garner and we showed up to play in the game two.”

Garner picked up the win with a superb pitching performance. The sophomore from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, scattered four hits. Garner also struck out 12 and walked just one.

Offensively, the Cougars were just as explosive as four Cougars finished with a 3-hit game. Adena Hagen and Lauryn Smith each went 3-for-3, while Katie Groves and Sofia Gomez each went 3-for-4.

Hagen finished with three RBIs, two singles and a double, while Smith had three runs scored on three singles. Groves had two runs scored, two runs batted in and a double. Gomez had two runs batted in and singles.

WNCC got on the scoreboard first as Groves singled and scored on a Hagen double for the 1-0 lead. Lamar came back and tied the score in the second, only to watch the Cougars retake the lead in the third. Smith singled in the inning and scored on a Groves base hit.

The Cougars opened up the lead with a four-spot in the fifth inning. Smith singled and scored on a Groves double. WNCC followed with run-scoring singles by Hagen, Gomez and Alyssa Hickey to go up 6-1. WNCC scored three of the runs with two outs and left the bases loaded in the inning.

WNCC added two more runs in the sixth inning. Smith started things with a single. Garner singled Smith home and a couple batters later, Garner scored on a Gomez single for the 8-3 win.

Game two was an improvement over game one, in which the Cougars managed just four hits in scoring two runs. The Cougars, however, started the scoring with a single run it the first inning as Hagen singled and scored on a Gomez sacrifice fly.

Lamar responded with two runs in the bottom of the first inning and then went up 4-1 with two runs in the fourth inning. The Cougars mounted a comeback in the sixth. Groves started things with a double. Megan Burditt then came in to pinch run but was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice by Alyssa Hickey. Hickey later came around to score on a Garner double to cut the lead to 4-2.

Groves, Gomez and Garner each had a double in the loss to lead the team.

Casey Simpson took the loss by giving up eight hits, striking out four and allowing two free passes.

WNCC (21-15) will next be in action Monday and Tuesday as they travel to McCook for doubleheaders before facing Otero Junior College in a conference 2-game set on Wednesday.

Game 1
WNCC 100 001 0 – 2 4 2
Lamar 200 200 x – 4 8 2
LP – Simpson; 2B – Groves, Gomez, Garner.

Game 2
WNCC 101 042 0 – 8 16 1
Lamar 010 002 0 – 3 4 1
WP – Garner; 2B – Hagen, Garner, Groves.

WNCC baseball splits with Colby Community College

Western Nebraska Community College baseball coach Mike Jones was disappointed with the split against Colby Community College Wednesday, but was pleased with the amount of depth his team is starting to show.

The Cougars had a hard-luck loss to Colby in the first game, falling 7-6. They responded with a 12-6 win in game two, scoring 11 runs in the first two innings.

“I was extremely disappointed in the split,” Jones said. “In the first game we didn’t pitch very well the first two innings of the game. We had an opportunity to control the game early. We went to the bull pen and had it under control, but we just couldn’t get the runs late.

“[Giving up early runs] has been the story of our season. We came out the second game and dominated the game early. We had such a big game early that we were able to keep it under control. Armani [Gonzalez] was able to settle in and pitch a pretty good ball game for us. We went to the bull pen following him and those guys were outstanding.”

The second-game victory was highlighted by offensive outburst by Scottsbluff’s Dallas Liptac who drove in four runs.

“In that win Wednesday, we had an opportunity to have different guys step up and be a part of a good win for us,” Jones said. “That is great to see and it is all part of a team concept and part of developing players. We have a guy like Dallas Liptac, who has been here for two years and works extremely hard, to see him have a nice game.”

Liptac finished game two with a 2-for-3 performance, including four RBIs. Jared Baros also went 2-for-3 with a run batted in, while Elvis Garcia added a two-run double in the second game win.

Armani Gonzalez worked 4 2/3 innings on the mound to register his second victory of the season. Gonzalez scattered eight hits and struck out one.

WNCC opened the contest by plating five first-inning runs. Colby, however, came right back and scored three times to cut the lead to 5-3. The Cougars opened the contest in the second inning, plating six runners for an 11-3 lead.

In the opener, the Cougars’ lost a hard-fought contest 7-6, allowing Colby to score seven times in the first two innings to trail 7-5. Gustavo Sanchez took the loss, working just 1 2/3, while allowing seven runs on six hits. David Castle, a Guensey, Wyo., product, came in relief and shut down the Trojans’ bats. Castle struck out three and allowed no runs with his stint on the mound.

Brady Sanchez, who played for the Buckley Bombers Legion baseball team out of Chappell, also stepped up in the first game, going 2-for-3 and driving in a run. Alex Arias also chipped in a double for the Cougars.

“Brady has a good ball game for as well and Shane Wade had a good ball game for us on the day,” Jones said. “It was great that we got different out there and they produced so well. That shows the strength and depth of our team.”

WNCC (17-17) will now head into a stretch of eight-straight conference games. WNCC will travel to Otero Junior College on Sunday and Monday, followed by a road doubleheader at Northeastern Junior College and then a home contest April 11 against NJC.

Jones said those conference games are becoming very important. WNCC sits third in the conference standings with an 8-4 mark behind Trinidad State (10-1) and Lamar Community College (7-4). The top four teams advance into the Region IX Playoffs.

“These conference games are really starting to build up and the importance of them continues to grow,” Jones said. “Trinidad continues to keep pressure on everybody. They are sitting at 10-1 and they are not making any mistakes and they are not slipping up. These conference games are important.

“Otero is a team that we were able to beat here and now we have to go to their place. Anytime you have to go on the road in this conference, things get tough. It will be a battle and a grind, and we will see what happens.”

Game One
WNCC 140 001 0 — 6 4 0
Colby 340 000 x — 7 9 1
LP — Gustavo Sanchez; 2B — Alex Arias.

Game Two
WNCC (17-17) 560 000 1 — 12 8 2
Colby 302 000 1 — 6 10 2
WP — Armani Gonzalez; 2B — Elvis Garcia.

WNCC softball team's game with Otero has been moved to April 8

The Western Nebraska Community College home softball game slated for Saturday, April 4 against Otero Junior College has been moved to Wednesday, April 8.

First pitch at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff is slated to begin at 2 p.m. for the doubleheader.

The Cougar softball team's next contests will be on the road at Lamar Community College on Friday, April 3. They will then face McCook Community College Monday and Tuesday in McCook, before returning home to face Otero on Wednesday.

WNCC volleyball to host Turf Challenge May 2-3 at Lacy Park

The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team will hosting a outdoor volleyball tournament during the weekend of May 2 and 3.

The WNCC Turf Challenge will feature teams of women’s doubles, coed doubles and coed four-player teams during the 2-day event. The Turf Challenge will take place at Lacy Park in Scottsbluff. The volleyball tournament is sponsored by Runza and Scottsbluff Screen-printing.

WNCC coach Giovana Melo got the idea from Arizona State University.

“We had one at ASU and it was a lot of fun so I just thought we could do the same here since our community loves volleyball,” Melo said. “I think it should be a lot of fun for the community. It is for the older crowd. High School players are not allowed to play unless they are 18 years old.”

The cost of the tournament will be $20 per person for the women’s coed, coed and the coed four-person division if registered by April 28. After that, the registration is $40. Also, if a player wants to play both days, the cost is $30 per person before April 28. Melo said women’s doubles and coed doubles will be held on Saturday, May 2, while the coed division will be held on Sunday, May 3.

Also, individual teams can bid on current Cougar players to be part of their team. Contact Melo via email (melog@wncc.net) if you would like to make a bid on a Cougar player. All bids start at $20.

“The teams will get a chance to play with and hang out with them all day if they win the bids,” Melo said.

To register for the Turf Challenge, contact Melo via email at melog@wncc.net or call at 308-635-6028. Also, registration for the tournament can be done online at www.wnccvolleyball.com.