WNCC baseball wins home-opener against NJC 9-6

The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team's base running literally stole a conference game away from Northeastern Junior College in the Cougar's home opener Thursday at Cleveland Field.

The Cougars took advantage of three late-inning Plainsmen errors to register a 9-6 Empire Conference win. It was the Cougars third straight win and their ninth in the month of March.

"We had real solid baserunning today and we were real aggressive," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "We caught them [NJC] sleeping a little bit and took advantage of it."

It definitely was heads-up baserunning that pushed the momentum the Cougars way. The two Region IX powers were knotted after five complete innings at 4-4. WNCC changed the complexion of the game in a heartbeat with gutsy running in the seventh inning. Josh Parker started things by reaching on an error. After a sacrifice bunt, Jared Baros and Trace Marsden earned walks to load the bases.

Kevin Sanford then fouled out to NJC's firstbaseman by the Plainsmen's dugout. Parker, however, tagged up on the catch, catching the Plainsmen off guard, scoring the go-ahead run.

WNCC wasn't through. A couple pitches later and with runners at the corners, Marsden started to steal second base. NJC pitcher Tyler Schmunk started to throw to second, but did an 180 and threw home to catch Baros who was stealing home. The throw sailed to the backstop and Marsden rounded second and then third to score the third run of the inning.

"If we can get guys on base, we can really run the bases. We have a lot of team speed, and that is what we were able to do," Jones said. "We got guys on base and then we caused some havoc."

NJC came back in the eighth inning, slicing the lead to one at 7-6. With one out, Ben Netzel walked and then Mike Goldy reached on an error. Netzel later scored on a throwing error to third, while Goldy scored on a single by Bryor Nittmann.

The Cougars answered in the bottom half of the inning. Jason Sloan started things with a walk. Elvis Garcia then sacrificed Sloan to second. Camil Baldelomar followed with a single to put runners at the corners. After Baldelomar stole second, Nelson Quintero singled in Sloan and Baldelomar for the 9-6 lead.

Tim Beard, who is slated for the start on Sunday against Monday, pitched the final inning in throwing just 10 pitches. Beard gave up an inning-opening single to Jose Rosario, but then Quintero turned a double-play.

"We really struggled there in that fourth inning and had trouble throwing strikes," Jones said. "We gave them a lot of free bases. But, we were able to get through it and we didn't panic. We got through the game by going to the bullpen and everybody came up big from the bullpen."

Rodil Martinez earned the win on the mound by throwing the sixth and seventh innings. Martinez faced just eight batters, not allowing a hit or a run. Carlos Luzon started the game and gave up four runs on four hits and walked four and hit one.

Jones said the one thing that he was impressed with was the team's balanced lineup. WNCC received run support throughout the nine batters. Parker and Quintero paced the team with two hits each. Parker was 2-of-5 with two runs scored and a RBI, while Quintero was 2-for-4 with two singles and three RBIs. Baros and Baldelomar each scored two runs, while Marsden had the only extra base hit with a double.

"We are getting a lot better as an offensive team," Jones said. "Our at bats keep getting better and we are more disciplined. Everybody is starting to step up. We are becoming a powerful lineup one through nine."

WNCC will be next in action Sunday and Monday when they host McCook Community College in conference games. The games were originally slated for Saturday and Sunday, but were moved because of forecasted bad weather on Saturday.

The Cougars will then face Northeastern Colorado in another 9-inning game on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Jones said that Beard will get the start in the first game and Julio Davila in the second game in Sunday's games with McCook.

"We are in the conference season now where every game starts to mean something," he said. "We are on a little bit of a winning streak right know. We are hoping to stay with the momentum, keep getting better and stay aggressive."

NJC (11-15-1) 000 400 020 -- 6 7 3
WNCC (9-18) 001 120 32x -- 9 9 2
WP -- Rodil Martinez, LP -- Tyler Schmunk; 2B -- WNCC (Trace Marsden), NJC (Jose Rosario).

Tickets go on sale Monday for April 10 volleyball tournament

The Western Nebraska Community College volleyball team and four NCAA Division I teams will have a Spring Fever Tournament on Saturday, April 10.

Tickets for the tournament will go on sale Monday, March 29 and cost $15 for the all-day event. Tickets can be purchased at the WNCC business office or athletic office. Only 800 tickets will be sold.

The tournament will feature Division I schools Creighton University, University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University and the Air Force Academy. Colorado State and Northern Colorado qualified for the NCAA tournament a year ago, while Creighton features former Cougar Nayka Benitez.

WNCC volleyball coach Giovana Melo said there will be some really good volleyball and really good competition.

“I just want this to become an annual event for WNCC volleyball,” Melo said. “I want to try and bring different Division I schools here every spring because it gives the community a chance to see some competitive volleyball. It gives our freshmen an opportunity to get looked at for the following year, and our sophomores an idea of what to look towards. It is a great event for our program, our school, and the community who helps us so much throughout the year.”

The tournament will begin at 8 a.m. with matches running all day. The first match of the day will pit WNCC against Creighton. The Cougar’s other matches include 11 a.m. against Air Force, 12:30 p.m. against Colorado State, and 3:30 p.m. against Northern Colorado.

The format of the tournament will be three games of 25 points. Matches will not start ahead of schedule.

WNCC will have its hands full during the tournament.

“The tournament for us will be a different situation,” she said. “I am not taking it as a test but more as a great opportunity. We are working into getting a little bit better right now so that is what we will try to do in the tournament. Obviously, we want to put up a good fight against those Division I schools, but I am more concerned with our performance and not just winning. As long as we are getting on the court and working hard at every point, in the long run, we wil have good outcome, and winning is a consequence.”

For more information on the tournament or for tickets, contact the WNCC athletic office at 308-635-6151.

Tournament Schedule
8 a.m. -- WNCC vs. Creighton
9:30 a.m. -- Creighton vs. Colorado State, Northern Colorado vs. Air Force
11 a.m. -- Northern Colorado vs. Colorado State; WNCC vs. Air Force
12:30 p.m. -- WNCC vs. Colorado State; Creighton vs. N. Colorado
2 p.m. -- Creighton vs. Air Force
3:30 p.m. -- WNCC vs. Northern Colorado, Air Force vs. Colorado State

WNCC baseball, softball set for home games

Nothing seems better to be finally playing at home and for the WNCC baseball and softball team, because they have been road warriors for the past month. Now, both teams will finally get to play at home this week.

The baseball team will face Northeastern Junior College on Thursday at 3 p.m. in one 9-inning contest. The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was moved because of wet grounds. They will then host McCook Community College in a weekend doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday.

The baseball team is coming off a very successful spring break trip to Arizona where they went 9-3. WNCC coach Mike Jones is hoping to build off that success during the upcoming home schedule.

“We had a real good trip and had a chance to play a lot of ball games. It was good competition,” Jones said. “We made improvement in all aspect of our game, especially on the offensive side we really made some improvements. We are hoping to take some momentum and confidence into our conference play.”

The Cougar men are currently third in Empire Conference play with a 2-2 record behind conference-leading Trinidad State at 4-0 and Lamar Community College at 7-1. Only the top four teams in the conference qualify for the Region IX playoffs.

“These upcoming games are real important,” Jones said. “Conference play is always big, especially conference play at home and taking care of your home field and playing top quality baseball.”

McCook captured its first victory of the season in dramatic fashion on Monday, topping Southeast Nebraska in a slugfest 21-14. The Indians are 1-12 overall and 0-6 in conference play.

Northeastern Junior College, 4-5-1, already beat WNCC in two non-conference games. Jones said they can’t take these teams lightly.

“They beat us in non-conference as we were trying to get some games in,” he said. “I think we have seen some of their good pitching and their lineup is full of left-handed hitters. i think we will be prepared for them.”

The biggest thing for the Cougar baseball team from last week’s slew of road games was that they started to play with some confidence.

“We started to play with some confidence and we started to play real smart baseball and disciplined baseball,” Jones said. “The pitching was outstanding and it has been so far throughout the year. But, we played well defensively and we played smart defensively. We were able to get some big hits with guys on base.”

The softball team will also be at home this weekend as well with some huge games. as they host Lamar, Garden City and McCook Friday through Sunday at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff.

Friday’s conference doubleheader against Lamar will begin at 2 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday’s contests will start at 1 p.m.

“It will be nice to get a chance to be out on our field and play in front of our very supportive fans,” softball coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. “Lamar split with us early and have continued to get better; Garden City is always tough has two good pitchers; and McCook picked up their first win of the year and have been getting better everyday.”

The Cougar softball team had a topsy-turvy spring break against some tough competition where they went 3-9 during the trip. The Cougars almost upended No. 9 San Jacinto College before falling 1-0.

Winn-Ratliff said the trip to Arizona will benefit the team down the stretch.

“It was sunny there and i think we are more of a cold weather team to that is good since we are in Nebraska,” she said. “We faced some really good teams on our trip and didn’t come away with as many wins as I would have liked. But we did see a lot of positives to look forward to throughout the year.”

The women enter the weekend home-stand with a 14-11 record and Winn-Ratliff said the key to this weekend games is their pitching staff.

“Our pitching staff has to be more consistent especially when we get ahead in the game,” she said. “We have to also cut out errors on defense and make good adjustments at the plate.”

The Garden City game is Scleroderma Day where all the proceeds to the Schleroderma Foundation. Currently, a T-shirt auction of the shirts that the players will wear in the game is going on. The T-shirt page is online at sports.wncc.net.

The McCook and Lamar games are especially important as they are conference games. WNCC is second in the conference play with a 4-2 record, behind Trinidad State who is 7-1. Lamar is 6-6 in conference play while Otero is 8-2. McCook is 0-4 while Dawson is 1-11.

“All of our games are important,” Winn-Ratliff said. “We just want to go out and do what we do and that is play hard with a lot of heart and pride.”

WNCC baseball team concludes road trip with two wins

Submitted by Jeremy Woznick, Star-Herald Sports Reporter

PHOENIX - The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team concluded its seven-game spring break road trip in style with a pair of convincing wins Saturday in Arizona.
The Cougars beat El Paso Community College 9-2 before thumping Glendale Community College 13-2.

WNCC ended the trip with a record of 4-3.

"It was a real good ending to the trip for us," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "It's been a long trip, but we've been able to get a lot of baseball in. We've made a lot of progress and we've gotten a lot better in just a week. It's real encouraging. We're going to go back into conference play with some confidence."

The Cougars received two more strong pitching performances Saturday, which proved to be a theme throughout the week.

In the win against El Paso, Armani Gonzalez struck out 12 and allowed just five hits in eight innings of work.

Rodil Martinez followed Gonzalez's gem with one of his own by allowing just two runs in seven innings against Glendale.

"We've had good pitching all week," Jones said. "We had two real good starts today with Armani and Rodil."

Both pitchers received plenty of offensive support.

In the opener, WNCC jumped out to a 9-0 lead through five innings and never looked back. The Cougars pounded out 10 hits.

Nelson Quintero led the way with three hits. He also scored two runs. Jason Sloan added two hits and two runs batted in, while Kevin Sanford added a double and drove in two runs.

WNCC's bats didn't cool off one bit in the second game. The Cougars pounded out a season high 18 hits against Glendale.

Jared Baros led the way with four hits. Baros also drove in three runs. Camilo Baldelomar had three hits, while Shane Wade added two. Both Baldelomar and Wade each drove in a run. Sloan
finished with a double and drove in three runs.

"Our bats are starting to come alive," Jones said. "We're really starting to put together some good at bats."

Jones said the road trip should give his ball club plenty of momentum heading into Wednesday's home doubleheader against Northeastern Junior College. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Cleveland Field in Scottsbluff.

"We played seven games against good teams this week. For us to come out of here 4-3 after we had been struggling is really encouraging," Jones said. "This gives us a lot of positive momentum going into Wednesday. We're going to go in with a lot of confidence in a lot of areas. We're really starting to play good baseball right now."

Game One
WNCC 122 040 000 - 9 10 0
El Paso 000 010 010 - 2 5 2
WP - Armani Gonzalez.
2B - Kevin Sanford.

Game Two
WNCC (8-18) 113 042 002 - 13 18 1
Glendale 000 001 100 - 2 9 1
WP - Rodil Martinez.
2B - Jason Sloan.

WNCC softball falls to Glendale

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball team finished its spring break trip through Arizona Saturday by falling to Glendale Community College 12-7 in the Central Arizona tournament.

The Cougars, who fell to Glendale Friday in pool play 13-0, played much better the second time around. WNCC opened the game with three runs in the first inning. Amanda Saldivar started things with a single followed by Jordan Schoepflin and Katie Groves drawing walks. Jacqui Cappucilli scored all three with a single.

Glendale came back slicing the lead to one 3-2 after the first inning and then plated seven in teh second inning to go up 9-3. WNCC tried to come back, cutting the lead to 9-6 after four innings, but that was as close as they got.

Brittany Enterline took the loss in the circle. Enterline went 1 2/3 innings striking out two, allowing four hits and five runs. Taylor Anderson finished the game going 4 1/3 innings, walking four, striking out three and allowing eight hits.

WNCC, who has last three straight, managed eight hits compared to Glendale's 12 hits. Saldivar pace the team with 3-for-4 game with a run scored. Groves finished the contest going 2-for-3 with a double, three runs, and an RBI.

WNCC, 14-11, will return home for a 3-day weekend home stand. Friday, the Cougars will entertain Lamar Community College in a conference doubleheader before hosting Garden City Community College in Scleroderma Day. WNCC will host McCook Community College on Sunday in a conference doubleheader.

Bidding for the T-shirt auction for Scleroderma Day is currently going on. To make your donation for an autographed T-shirt and help out the Scleroderma Foundation, visit the WNCC athletic website at sports.wncc.net and visit the Scleroderma Day Link.

WNCC (14-11) 301 200 1 -- 7 8 3
Glendale C.C. 270 030 x -- 12 12 3
LP -- Brittany Enterline; 2B -- Katie Groves.

WNCC softball goes 1-2 at Central Arizona tourney

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball team opened the Central Arizona Tournament with a 1-2 record.

The Cougars dropped Odessa College to open the tournament 14-5 before falling to Glendale Community College 11-0. They finished the pool play portion of the tournament by falling in a nail-biter 5-3.

WNCC's Brittany Enterline picked up the win in the opener with a strong showing. The Cougars had two home runs in the win. Katie Groves' led off the second inning with her sixth home run of the season. Allie Alverson had a 3-run shot in the fourth inning.

The Cougars found going extremely tough in the contest against Glendale as Stephanie Townsend took the loss.

in the team's final game of the tourney, the Cougars got a home run from Jordan Schoepflin, but couldn't hang on in falling to Arizona Western. WNCC led Arizona Western 3-1 in the sixth inning before giving up four runs.

Taylor Anderson took the loss in the circle.

"We played really well against Odessa," WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said. "Then we didn't show up against Glendale. Against Arizona Western, Taylor pitched well to win the game, but we let them score four runs in the sixth inning."

WNCC, 14-10, will enter the bracket play portion of the tournament at 9 a.m. against Glendale.

After Saturday's contest, the Cougars return home to host contest Friday through Sunday. Saturday's contest against Garden City Community College will be Scleroderma Day and the auction for the autographed player T-shirts starts Saturday and is open until March 27 at noon.

WNCC, The Playhouse team up to hold fund-raiser for Cougar Athletics

The Western Nebraska Community College athletic department and the Playhouse Skate and Fun Center will be teaming up for a fun athletic fundraiser.

On Sunday, March 28, The Playhouse will be sponsoring an afternoon skate from 4-7 p.m. for area students and youngsters of all ages. The cost is $5 with $2 skate rentals. Pizza and pop are included with all admission donated back to the WNCC athletic department.

Their will be two skate sessions this year. Gering, Mitchell, Alliance and Kimball residents will skate from 4-5:30 p.m. Scottsbluff, Bayard and Bridgeport residents will skate from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Students and youngsters from other towns need to call the Playhouse for times.

The students will also get a chance to skate with the Cougars, get autographs and have pizza (which is included). Cougar athletes will be in attendance during the sessions.

Inflatable gyms will also be set up for those that do not want to skate.

The Playhouse Skate and Fun Center is located at 775 Crescent Drive in Gering. For more information, contact the Playhouse at 632-5996.

WNCC baseball falls to Seminole Community College

PHOENIX -- The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team received a strong pitching performance from Tim Beard, but couldn't muster enough offense before falling to Seminole Community College 4-1 Thursday during their Spring Break trip through Arizona.

Beard went seven strong innings, giving up four hits, two runs and striking out five. Joel Perez finished the contest going the final two innings and giving up four hits.

"Tim threw an excellent game. He was outstanding," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "Seminole is a strong team and he was able to shut them down and give us an opportunity to win. But we just couldn't find a way to score off of their pitching. They have some really good guys and we fought through our at bats. We just got beat today."

Seminole scored first, plating two runs in the fifth inning. WNCC sliced the lead in half in the seventh with a run. Camilo Baldelomar worked his way on base via a walk. He then stole second and scored on two throwing errors.

Seminole added two insurance runs it the top of the ninth for the 4-1 win.

Jason Sloan and Baldelomar each contributed doubles in the contest, but the Cougars couldn't get the clutch hit to get them across home plate.

WNCC, 6-17, will have South Mountain Community College on Friday before finishing up with El Paso College and Glendale on Saturday. Julio Davila will get the start on the mound against South Mountain, a team the Cougars defeated earlier in the week 8-2.

"We have to bounce back from this one and get ready for tomorrow [Friday] against South Mountain," Jones said. "We beat South Mountain the other day and they will probably come out and try to get even with us. it should be a pretty good game."

Seminole 000 020 002 -- 4 8 2
WNCC (6-17) 000 000 100 -- 1 5 1
LP -- Tim Beard; 2B -- Jason Sloan, Camilo Baldelomar.

WNCC sortball falls twice in Arizona

COOLIDGE, Ariz. -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball team lost a heartbreaker against No. 9 San Jacinto College Thursday during their Spring Break trip through Arizona.

The No. 18 Cougars fell 1-0 to San Jac and had plenty of opportunities to score, but couldn't get the clutch hit when they needed in the second game of a doubleheader.

In the opener, Howard College no-hit the Cougars in registering a 7-0 win. The Cougars managed just two baserunners in the game, both by walks.

Ashton Hughes took the loss against Howard, going 2 1/3 innings while scattering nine hits and giving up six runs. Taylor Anderson finished out the game giving up a run on six hits.

WNCC rebounded from getting no-hit by batting the No. 9 team in the nation strong before falling 1-0. San Jac scored the only run they would need in the second from a walk, sacrifice bunt and a single.

The Cougars had their opportunity to put runs on the board, especially in the first inning. Allie Alverson and Jordan Schoepflin each recorded singles and Katie Groves earned a walk to load the bases with just one out, but they couldn't capitalize.

The Cougars also had singles by Hughes in the second and Groves in the third that didn't amount to a threat. The other big threat came in the sixth inning as Megan Bourdon delivered a 2-out double.

Anderson took the loss in pitching six innings with eight hits and five strikeouts.

The Cougars managed just five hits in the contest.

WNCC, 13-8, will look to rebounded Friday in the Central Arizona tournament. The Cougars will face Odessa College, Glendale Community College and Arizona Western.

First Game
WNCC 000 000 0 -- 0 0 1
Howard 016 000 x -- 7 16 0
LP -- Ashton Hughes (0-2)

Second Game
WNCC (13-8) 000 000 0 -- 0 5 1
San Jac 010 000 x -- 1 8 1
LP -- Taylor Anderson (5-3); 2B -- Megan Bourdon.

Cougar baseball team splits games in Arizona

Submitted By Jeremy Woznick, Star-Herald Sports Reporter

PHOENIX - The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team posted another win on its seven-game spring break road trip Wednesday evening in Phoenix.

The Cougars registered a 2-1 win over Phoenix College in the first game of a doubleheader. Phoenix College bounced back to salvage the twinbill with a 6-3 win in game two.
WNCC, now 6-16 overall, has won five of its last eight games.

"I'm really pleased that we're playing better," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "We're making strides in the right direction."

In Wednesday's victory, the Cougars received more strong work on the mound. Three different WNCC hurlers combined to allow just three hits in seven innings.

Jacob Stutzman earned the win in relief of starter Carlos Palomo. Stutzman didn't allow a run in three innings of work. He allowed just two hits. JC Morales picked up the save after pitching a perfect seventh inning to shut the door.

"We had great pitching out of the bullpen in the first game," Jones said. "Stutzman and Morales did a great job."
Offensively in the game, Jared Baros had a run-scoring double in the second inning and Elvis Garcia added a run-scoring single in the fifth. Shane Wade went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
In game two, WNCC plated a pair of runs in the top of the third to knot the score at 2-2. But Phoenix College responded with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to go in front for good.
Sidney Jones took the loss on the mound. He allowed three runs on just three hits in three innings of work. Jones walked four. John Bravard pitched two innings out of the bullpen and David Castle worked one.

"In the second game we had trouble throwing strikes," Coach Jones said. "We just couldn't find the strike zone enough and that made it hard to keep them from scoring runs."

All six of WNCC's hits in the game were singles. Kevin Sanford collected two hits and scored one run. Trace Marsden scored two runs, while Sloan and Garcia both drove in runs.

WNCC will be back in action this afternoon against Seminole State Community College out of Oklahoma. The teams will compete in one nine-inning contest. Jones said Tim Beard will get the start on the mound for the Cougars.

Game One
WNCC 010 010 0 - 2 8 3
Phoenix College 001 000 0 - 1 3 3
WP - Jacob Stutzman. S - JC Morales.
2B - Jared Baros, Shane Wade.

Game Two
WNCC (6-16) 002 010 0 - 3 6 1
Phoenix College 110 301 x - 6 7 1
LP - Sidney Jones.

WNCC softball splits with Gateway, Hughes picks up first win of season with second-game shutout

PHOENIX -- Ashton Hughes gave the Western Nebraska Community College softball team the needed lift in the second game of a doubleheader against GateWay Community College.

Hughes, who was pitching for the first time this season, shutout GateWay in powering the Cougars to an 8-0 win. GateWay earned a 7-4 win in the opener outhitting the Cougars 12-6.

Hughes was one of the keys to the Cougars' win. The right-handed hurler stepped into the circle and shut down the Geckos by scattering three hits in six innings of work. She also struck out three and walked three in her first pitching win of the season.

"it was definitely enjoyable [being in the circle], but I knew I had a good defense behind me and a good offense that would come later," she said. "I did ok for the first time. I missed a few spots here and there, but I had a good defense when I did miss it."

Hughes also did it offensively in the second-game win. The freshman from Regina, Saskatchewan, went 1-for-2 with a fourth-inning triple and two runs scores.

Katie Groves, however, was the big offensive threat in the contest. WNCC's career home run hitter went 3-for-4 with a triple, home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. Groves started the game by belting her fifth home run of the season, which was a 2-run shot in the third inning.

Groves said they came out with a different attitude and played as a team.

"It was important for us to come out and win that second game. We dropped the first game because we weren't playing as a whole," she said. "The second game we came out and played as a team; we played as one instead of playing like a bunch of individual players."

While the Cougars managed 11 hits, including five extra base hits, Groves said defense was the real reason they won the game.

"We hit the ball well, but our defense held them down," she said. "That helped keep their momentum back after winning the first game."

Hughes said a good defense can inspire the offense.

"Defense is key for this team to do well because without a strong defense not making any errors, then you can contribute more easily on offense," Hughes said. "The offense started to click [in the second game] because everybody was feeding off of each other. So, if one person does well, then you want to do well."

Groves also had a triple that scored Allie Alverson in the fifth innning. Groves came around to score the teams' fifth run of the game on a Jordan Schoepflin's base hit for a 5-0 lead.

The Cougars added three more runs in the sixth inning. Hughes started things by drawing a bases on ball and then stole second. Hughes scored on an Amanda Saldivar single. Alverson and Megan Bourdon had back-to-back doubles to score runs.

Alverson went 3-for-4 from the plate with a near-cycle. The freshman from Tooele, Utah, had a single, double, triple, two runs and an RBI. Bourdon finished with two hits, including a double.

The second game was much needed after the Cougars suffered a 7-4 loss in the opener, which was their fourth straight loss of the season. The Cougars got on the scoreboard first with three runs in the second inning. Groves started things with a single and scored on a single by Jacqui Cappuccilli. Saldivar then reached on a fielder's choice, where both would score on a Bourdon double.

The Cougars went up 4-3 with a single run in the fourth inning, but the Geckos plated four runs in the fifth inning to steal the win.

Cappucilli went 2-for-3 in the game while Schoepflin went 2-for-4.

Taylor Anderson took the loss in the circle, going 4 1/3 innings. She walked one, struck out two and allowed 11 hits and six runs. Brittany Enterline finished off the game allowing one hit, one run and striking out three.

The Cougars, 13-6, will be back in action Thursday when they face Howard College and San Jacinto College in Coolidge, Arizona.

"We are definitely back on the right track," Hughes said. "But, it is one game at a time; that is how it works. Today, the team worked really well together in the second game."

First Game
WNCC 031 000 0 -- 4 6 1
GateWay 030 040 x -- 7 12 2
LP -- Taylor Anderson (6-3); 2B -- Megan Bourdon.

Second Game
WNCC (13-6) 002 123 -- 8 11 1
GateWay 000 000 -- 0 3 1
WP -- Ashton Hughes (1-0); 2B -- Allie Alverson, Megan Bourdon; 3B -- Katie Groves, Ashton Hughes; HR -- Katie Groves.

WNCC's Luzon throws 8 strong innings, Cougars pick up 8-2 win.

Submitted by Jeremy Woznick of the Star-Herald

PHOENIX - Carlos Luzon worked eight strong innings to help the Western Nebraska Community College baseball team get its spring break road trip off to a strong start in an 8-2 win over South Mountain Community College Tuesday afternoon in Phoenix.

Luzon, a freshman from Caracas, Venezuela, allowed just two runs on four hits in his eight innings on the mound. He also struck out three in recording his first win in a Cougar uniform.

"He was outstanding," WNCC coach Mike Jones said of Luzon. "It was the best start of the season for him and it was one of the best starts we've had so far this season. He threw his changeup a lot for strikes and kept them off balanced. It was really nice for him to go out there and pitch a strong eight innings for us. It was impressive."

JC Morales pitched a scoreless ninth inning for WNCC in relief of Luzon.

The lone two runs Luzon allowed came in the bottom of the fourth, which helped South Mountain trim WNCC's lead to 3-2. However, the Cougars scored single runs in the fifth and eighth innings before plating three insurance runs in the ninth.

Scottsbluff High School graduate Trace Marsden singled home a pair of runs in the top of the ninth.

Offensively in the game for WNCC, Camilo Baldelomar went 2-for-3. He drove in two runs and scored two runs. Elvis Garcia had a double and Shane Wade also collected a hit.

WNCC improved to 5-15 with the win. The Cougars have now won four of their last six games.

WNCC split a pair of conference doubleheaders at Lamar Community College and at Otero Junior College last weekend. On Saturday, the Cougars topped the Lopes 7-3 before falling 9-2. Then, on Sunday, they split with Otero winning 3-2 before falling 1-0.

"We've been playing better this last week," Jones said. "We still are trying to find some more offense. It's always a work in progress. As long as we keep pitching and keep playing good defense, we're going to be in a lot of games."

WNCC will be back in action today against Phoenix College. The squads will play a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.

Jones said Carlos Palomo and Sidney Jones will get the starts on the mound for the Cougars.

WNCC (5-15) 001 210 103 - 8 5 0
South Mountain 000 200 000 - 2 5 1
WP - Carlos Luzon (1-1).
2B - Camilo Baldelomar, Elvis Garcia.

WNCC softball will hold Scleroderma Day on March 27

The Western Nebraska Community College softball team will hold Scleroderma Day on Saturday, March 27, when the Cougars take on Garden City Community College at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff.

This is the second straight year that the Cougar softball team as held Scleroderma Day. Last year the team raised over $900 for the Foundation.

WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff started the special day to bring awareness to the skin disorder, which affects about 300,000 people in the United States. The event was started in honor of Cougar softball player Brenda Hearn last year when she had to give up playing the sport because of the disorder. Hearn is in her second year as manager for the softball team.

First pitch for the softball doubleheader will be at 1 p.m. with all proceeds from the gate, concessions and T-shirt auction donated to the Scleroderma Foundation. Also, the softball team will accept other donations to help the Scleroderma Foundation.

Individuals can start bidding on the T-shirts on Saturday, March 20 through noon on March 27. Pictures of the players with their special Scleroderma T-shirts, which they will wear during the game, are on the WNCC sports website located at sports.wncc.edu. The bid history will also listed on the website.

Individuals who want to bid on the T-shirts may send a text or email to one of the following individuals: Mark Rein at 308-631-0459 or mrein@wncc.net; head coach Maria Winn Ratliff at 308-672-5880; or winnm@wncc.net, or assistant coach Molly Bonuchi at 573-489-0484 or mollybonuchi@sbcglobal.net.

Winners of the T-shirts have one week after the closing of the auction to pay for the T-shirts. After that time the second highest bid will be awarded the T-shirt.

Individuals, businesses or organizations that would like donate or help with the Schleroderma Day may contact softball coach Maria Winn-Ratliff at 308-672-5880 or winnm@wncc.net.

WNCC volleyball players learn hands on while working with beans

WNCC volleyball players Emily Hoehn and Tania Torres learn from working with beans for a class. Read the story in the Saturday edition of PRIDE: Agriculture or read it online at the following link.

http://www.starherald.com/articles/2010/03/15/news/pride_2010/doc4b9e5df9ecc07388394418.txt

WNCC softball drops two in Arizona

PHOENIX -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball team's start to its games in Arizona didn't start off with a blaze after the Cougars dropped a pair of contests.

The Cougars were limited to just two hits as Odessa College blanked WNCC 9-0. Against South Mountain Community College, the Cougars allowed three late-inning runs to suffer a 5-3 setback.

Both contests saw costly fielding errors that caused their opponents to score momentum-building runs. The Cougars committed six errors in the two games.

In game one, Odessa scored a single run in the first and two more in the third for a 3-0 lead. They then opened the game with a six-run fourth inning to earn the run-rule shortened contest.

WNCC managed just two hits in the contest, a single my Tonya Atencio in the third inning and a double my Jordan Schoepflin in the fourth.

Taylor Anderson suffered the loss in the circle, going three innings while scattering eight hits and giving up five runs. Anderson struck out four in the contest.

Against South Mountain, the Cougars offense was a little more potent, out-hitting SMCC 8-7. WNCC too a 2-0 lead in the third as Megan Bourdan started things with a double. Allie Alverson followed with a run-scoring double before Adena Hagen blasted a triple to score Alverson.

South Mountain came back with two runs in the third and fifth inning, and a single run in the fourth for a 5-2 lead. WNCC tried to mount a comeback as Amanda Saldivar singled and scored on a Alverson single.

Alverson and Haden each had two hits for the Cougars. Alverson had a double, scored a run, and had two RBIs, while Hagen had a triple and a RBI. Bourdon finished the game with a double and a run scored. Also collecting singles for the Cougars were Schoepflin and Katie Groves.

Stephanie Townsend took the loss in the circle by going 4 1/3 innings. Townsend struck out two, walked two, scattered seven hits and gave up five runs and four earned runs.

Anderson finished off the game by going 1 2/3 innings, striking out one.

WNCC, 12-5 and losers of their last three games, will return to action Wednesday when they face Gateway Community College in a doubleheader in Arizona.

First Game
WNCC 000 00 -- 0 2 4
Odessa 102 6x -- 9 11 2
LP -- Taylor Anderson; 2B -- Jordan Schoepflin.

Second Game
WNCC (12-5) 002 000 1 -- 3 8 2
South Mountain 002 120 x -- 5 7 1
LP -- Townsend; 2B -- Megan Bourdon, Allie Alverson; 3B -- Adena Hagen.

Four WNCC basketball players make all-region

Four Western Nebraska Community College men’s and women’s basketball players earned all-region honors during the past year.

WNCC’s Francisco Cruz, who committed to the University of Wyoming last month, earned all-Region IX honors from the East Sub-region.

Cruz finished this season with a 20.4 scoring average while pulling down six rebounds a game. Cruz connected on 88 3-pointers during the season and converted 116 of 146 free throws.

Other men’s all-region members included Antonio Dye of McCook, Joe Ragland of North Platte, Antonio DiMaria and Arthur Steward of Casper, DeJuan Wright of Gillette, JR Cadot of Sheridan, Alfonzo Hubbard of Northwest Wyoming, Briahn Smith of Miles City, Davin Anderson of Laramie County, Matt Peeler of Otero, and Marqus Richards of Trinidad State.

The Cougar women had three players earn all-Region IX honors. Sophomores Amber Kistler and Stormye Everett and Freshman Yuki Morimoto were all tabbed for leading the Cougars to a 24-8 season. Everett and Morimoto were also the only Cougars to make the Region IX all-tournament that concluded last week.

Kistler, a Bayard High School graduate, averaged 10.7 points and 3.5 rebounds a game this season. She also connected on 36 3-pointers and shot a blistering 81 percent from the free throw line in 32 games.

Everett led the team in scoring and rebounding this season at 14.3 points and 7 rebounds a game. Everett also had 73 assists and 48 steals for the Cougars. Morimoto finished her first year at WNCC averaging 13.6 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Morimoto also dished out 127 assists and had 59 steals. Morimoto led the team from the 3-point area, connecting on 53 long-range shots.

Other members of the all-region team include Sabelle Diata and Mrashi Karumba of Northeastern Colorado, Pavlina Chudarkova of Sheridan, Juliana Paunovic and Samira Van Grinsven of Casper, Sara Plavljanin of Miles City, Kari Ameling of Otero, LaTeesha Nez of Gillette, Jessica Brown of Eastern Wyoming, Amanda Jensen of Western Wyoming, Sofie Lundberg of Northeast Nebraska, and Brooke Tolman of Central Wyoming.

Other members of the women’s all-tournament team include Sabelle Diata, Maty Diallo, Amy Marin of Northeastern Colorado, Micki Scally of Sheridan, Juliana Paunovic, Samira Van Grinsven, and Shanice Billington of Casper, Kari Ameling, Chelsea Rotondo and Angie Andenucio of Otero, Brooke Tolman and Nicole Merrill of Central Wyoming, and Sofie Lundberg of Northeast Nebraska.

WNCC softball team splits with Trinidad State

Lamar, Colo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball split a conference doubleheader with Trinidad State Junior College Saturday afternoon in Lamar, Colo., despite strong starts in both contests.

Jordan Schoepflin started things with a bang in the opener, blasting a 2-run first-inning home run to power the Cougars to a 5-3 win. Game two wasn't so fortunate as Trinidad scored twice in the sixth inning to register a 4-2 win.

The Cougars jumped to a 5-0 lead on Schoepflin's fourth home run of the season. The Cougars also smashed three doubles in the first game with Allie Alverson connecting on two 2-baggers, while Brittany Chacon had the other double.

Alverson led the Cougar attack from the plate with a 2-for-4 performance, including an RBI. Schoepflin and Katie Groves each were 1-for-3 for the game, while Chacon was 1-for-2.

Taylor Anderson picked up the win in the circle with a dazzling performance, including finishing with a bang. Trinidad State loaded the bases with two outs in its final at bat when Anderson fanned the batter for the final out. Anderson picked up her fifth win of the season. The sophomore finished with seven strike outs and two walks, while scattering five hits.

WNCC played well in the second game but couldn't get the hit they needed in suffering the disappointing loss. Adena Hagen started things in the first with a single and scored on a Schoepflin single that went to the fence.

Trinidad tied the game in the first and then went ahead 2-1 with a single run in the fourth inning. The Cougars clawed back into the contest by tying the game in the sixth inning. Schoepflin started things with a single and scored on a Jackie Cappuccilli single.

WNCC couldn't hold the lead as the Trojans scored twice in the sixth inning to steal the game.

Brittany Enterline took the loss in the circle by allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings. The freshman from Tracy, Calif., stuck out three and walked three.

The Cougars outhit the Trojans 7-6 in the game. Schoepflin led the charge with a 2-for-3 performance, including a run scored and an RBI. Chacon also had two hits with a 2-for-2 game. Also collecting hits for WNCC was Grove, Hagen and Cappuccilli.

Saturday's doubleheader was the start of a wicked road trip for the Cougars. WNCC, 12-3, will have nine games in the next six days during a spring break trip to Arizona. WNCC is hoping to bounce back from the second game loss when they face Odessa College and South Mountain Community College on Monday in Phoenix.

First Game
WNCC 230 000 0 -- 5 5 1
Trinidad 000 100 0 -- 3 6 1
WP -- Taylor Anderson; 2B -- Allie Alverson 2, Brittany Chacon; HR -- Jordan Schoepflin.

Second Game
WNCC (12-3) 100 001 0 -- 2 7 2
Trinidad State (11-8) 100 102 x -- 4 6 0
LP -- Brittany Enterline.

Region IX Softball Standings
College Overall Conf.
Western Nebraska 12-3 4 -2
Trinidad State 11-8 7-1
Otero J.C. 15-11 10-2
Lamar C.C. 6-15 3-7
McCook C.C. 0-6 0-4
Dawson C.C. 0-8 0-8

WNCC men eliminated at regional tournaemnt by Sheridan

SHERIDAN, Wyo. -- The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team fought hard, but just didn't have horses to stay with a talented Sheridan College team in falling 92-73 in the second-round of the men's Region IX tournament in Sheridan, Wyo., Sunday evening.

The Cougars hung with the Generals early one as they were tied at 9-9 after a Francisco Cruz bucket. Sheridan then went on a 8-0 run to push the lead to 17-9.

WNCC battled back, slicing the lead to 23-18 on a O'Rion Hughes bucket. WNCC kept hanging with the high-flying Generals on their home court trailing just by six points at 27-21. That was when the Generals hit back-to-back 3-pointers to go up by double digits. The double digit lead was short lived as Geoffrey Firmin connected on a 3-pointers and moments later Cruz, who verbally committed with the University of Wyoming last month, canned a field goal to trail 35-26. Sheridan would lead at halftime 38-28.

WNCC tried slicing the lead to single digits in the second half but never could manage to get within 10 points. The last time the Cougars trailed by 10 was at 51-41 on a Hughes bucket. After that, the Generals made a charge, outscoring WNCC 12-2 to go up 63-43.

To WNCC's defense, they never gave up as they came back to slice the lead to 12 points at 63-51 on a Joe Stock 3-pointer with about 11 minutes to play. Sheridan, however went on a 13-2 run to go up 76-63 with eight minutes left and coasted to the quarter-final win.

Shooting was the big difference in the contest as the Generals shot 51 percent for the game compared to 38 percent for the Cougars. The other big difference was the Cougars couldn't stop the General's big horses inside with a number of buckets from the paint, including a number of dunks.

Steven Ivory, Jr., led the Generals with 19 points followed by Antoine Proctor with 16 points and JR Cadot, who verbally committed to Texas Christian University, finished with 12 points.

WNCC also had three players hit the double digit column. Francisco Cruz wrapped up his 2-year career at WNCC with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Hughes and Geddes Robinson also had 15 points each.

The Cougars finish the year at 19-13 and lose three sophomores from the team that played second semester in Cruz, Robinson and Saul Torres.

WNCC 28 45 -- 73
Sheridan 38 54 -- 92
SHERIDAN
Jarrell Crayton 8, Kendrick Morse 8, Antoine Procter 16, JR Cadot 12, Idris Lasisi 9, Omar McDade 5, Bryen Pyles 4, Steven Ivory, Jr., 19, Sam Iwueke 6, Charlton WIlson 5.
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Geoffrey Firmin 9, O'Rion Hughes 15, Joe Stock 8, Francisco Cruz 15, Geddes Robinson 15, Andre Marone 2, Saul Torres 9.

WNCC softball splits with Garden City Community College

GARDEN CITY, Kan. -- The Western Nebraska Community College softball team split a doubleheader Sunday against Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kan.

The Cougars scored six times in the sixth inning to register a 7-4 win in the opener before falling 8-2 in game two.

In the first game, the Cougars trailed 3-1 heading through five innings. WNCC received a big lift from freshman Ashton Hughes, who delivered a 3-run home run that scored Jackie Cappuccilli and Stephanie Townsend to give the Cougars a 7-3 lead.

WNCC pounded out 10 hits in the game, including four extra base hits. Megan Burditt led the team with a 2-for-3 game, including a triple and a run scored. Adena Hagen went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. Katie Groves finished the game with two runs scored on one hit, while Townsend went 1-for-4 with a double, RBI and a run.

Hughes went 1-for-3 in teh game with a home run and three home runs.

Taylor Anderson picked up her fifth win of the season. Anderson scattered nine hits, while striking out five.

The second game didn't go the Cougars' way. WNCC jumped on top 1-0 after one inning before falling behind the 8-ball as the Broncobusters went up 8-1 after four innings.

WNCC managed just five hits in the contest, while giving up 11 hits to Garden City.

Brittany Enterline took the loss in the circle, going four innings, while giving up eight runs, walking four and striking out three.

Hagen and Allie Alverson each went 2-for-3 in the game. Hagen had a double with a RBI, while Alverson had a double and run scored. Brittany Chacon had the other hit, a double, for the Cougars.

WNCC, 11-2, will next be in action this weekend when they travel to face the University of Colorado Club team on Friday at Longmont, Colo.

First Game
WNCC 100 006 0 -- 7 10 2
Garden CIty 000 300 1 -- 4 9 0
WP -- Taylor Anderson; 2B -- Adena Hagen, Steph Townsend; 3B -- Megan Burditt; HR -- Ashton Hughes.

Second Game
WNCC (11-2) 100 000 1 -- 2 5 3
Garden CIty 032 300 x -- 8 11 0
LP -- Brittany Enterline; 2B -- Hagen, Brittany Chacon, Allie Alverson

WNCC women fall to Otero at regional tournament

STERLING, Colo. – Otero Junior College connected on 12 3-pointers, seven in the second half, and the Rattlers upended Western Nebraska Community College 68-60 in the second round of the Region IX tournament in Sterling, Colo., Sunday afternoon.

The quarterfinal loss was typical of the Cougar’s second semester where they struggled defensively. Otero shot a blistering 57 percent (12 of 21) from the 3-point line including 7 of 9 in the second half. The Cougars, on the other hand, shot just 44 percent from the field and were outscored 36-9 from beyond the 3-point arc.

“We give up seven 3-pointers the second half and never made adjustments in knowing who the shooters are,” WNCC coach Dave Harnish said. “I think what hurt us all year hurt us tonight and that was unable to defend and rebound the ball.”

Another big key in the contest was losing sophomore Stormye Everett with about a minute left in the first half with an ankle injury. After that, Everett sat on the bench with her foot iced cheering on her teammates.

“We were hanging in there the first half and when Stormye went, it did hurt us,” Harnish said. “Still, the bottom line, kids have to step up and we just didn’t do that. We struggled all semester in recognizing who the shooters are and playing defense. That is what ultimately what caught up to us in the end.”

WNCC was sticking with Otero in the first half. In fact, WNCC zipped out to an 11-2 lead on a 3-pointer by Yuki Morimoto and four points each from Tiffany Moorer and Carolina Alves. Otero came back scoring the next six points to slice the lead to 11-8 before WNCC went ahead 16-11 on an Everett 3-pointer.

The Cougars led 28-23 after a bucket by Shelby Campbell and two field goals from Everett with four minutes to play. Otero came back to tie the game at 30 on a 3-pointer by Desiree Marrufo, Angie Angie Andenucio gave momentum to Otero heading into the locker room after she nailed a trey to tie the game at 33-33

WNCC started slow in the second half, but a bucket by Moorer and a driving layup by Amber Kistler put WNCC up 41-40. The Cougars pushed the lead to 46-43 on back-to-back Thais Pinto buckets. Otero fought back, in taking a 53-48 lead and led 57-50 at one stretch.

The Cougars came back scoring the next six points on a bucket by Moorer and four points from Pinto to cut the lead to 57-56. Otero wasn’t rattled as Chelsea Rotondo drained a 3-pointer followed by buckets by Marrufo and Tracy Fosterling for a 64;56 lead. The closest the Cougars got after that was 64-60 with 30 seconds to play.

Morimoto paced the Cougars with 16 points, 13 in the first half. Pinto also finished with double digits, finishing with 13 points. Morimoto also had nine rebounds.

Otero was paced by Marrufo with 19 points followed by Andenucio with 13 and Rotondo with 12.

The Cougars finish the season with a 24-8 record and losses just two sophomores – Everett and Kistler – from this year’s team.

“The disappointing thing is we had such a good first semester and expectations were high second semester. We just could never get that toughness and desire to really want to win every game back,” Harnish said. “Both of the sophomores were key for us this year. They were kids that were our two leading scorers on the team and they both competed and played hard and did the things we expected on the floor. I certainly wish them the best of luck and I appreciate the effort that they gave us.

“There is no question that Amber works hard. She is a local kid that comes in and works hard. She puts the time in and that is all you want from kids today.”

Otero 33 35 – 68
WNCC (24-8) 33 27 – 60
OTERO JUNIOR COLLEGE
Melinda Perry 4, Kari Ameling 11, Kaitlyn Lowen 5, Tracy Fosterling 4, Chelsea Rotondo 12, Desiree Marrufo 19, Angie Andenucio 13.
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Amber Kistler 5, Stormye Everett 7, Shelby Campbell 3, Yuki Morimoto 16, Ariane Brown 2, Tiffany Moorer 8, Carolina Alves 4, Thais Pinto 13, Kelli Culver 2.

NWCC men's basketball open regional tournament with 80-78 win over Lamar

SHERIDAN, Wyo. -- Francisco Cruz erupted for 33 points and the Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team escaped with an 80-78 win over Lamar Community College in the Region IX tournament Saturday in Sheridan, Wyo.

The key for the Cougars' win was their red hot start as Joe Stock nailed three 3-pointers to give WNCC a 27-17 lead. Lamar, the defending Region IX champions, came storming back in holding the Cougars scoreless for nearly seven minutes in taking a 28-27 lead.

Francisco Cruz brought the Cougars back with back-to-back buckets, and the Mateus Chaves nailed a half-court shot at the buzzer to send the Cougars into the locker room with a 34-32 lead.

In the second half, the Cougars jumped out to a 52-44 lead before going ice cold once again in letting the Lopes come back to within four 54.52. The Cougars, however, found their offensive game again as Ritchie Mundende had a huge offensive tip in, and then Geoffrey Firman and Cruz canned back-to-back 3-pointers to go up 67-55.

WNCC added to the lead as Firmin and Cruz connected on a four free throws to go up 72-60 with two minutes to play. The Cougars couldn't keep the double-digit lead as the Lopes came storming back, slicing the lead to 76-74.

The Cougars hung on as Stock and Cruz nailed two free throws each to go up 80-76. Lamar had a chance to tie or win the game after WNCC turned the ball over with 5.2 seconds left, but the Lopes fumbled the ball and never could get off a chance.

Cruz led both teams in scoring with 33 points, including a perfect 10 of 10 from the free throw line. The University of Wyoming recruit also pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out four assists.

Stock also had a nice game, finishing with 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Geddes Robinson was the third Cougar in double figures, finishing with 12 points.

WNCC shot 44 percent from the field while Lamar was 52 percent. But the big reason for the win was free throw shooting. The Cougars were 23 of 28 from the line for 82 percent, while Lamar was 18 of 28 for 65 percent.

WNCC, 19-12, will now face the host school Sheridan College at 8 p.m. on Sunday. The Cougars and Sheridan met once before as the Generals recorded an 82-69 win back in December.

Other action on Saturday at the regional tournament saw Miles Community College earn a 70-68 win over Central Wyoming, Northwest Wyoming downed Gillette College 85-74, and Northeastern Junior College outscored McCook Community College 107-104.

Quarterfinal action on Sunday will have Miles City taking on Laramie County at 1 p.m., Northwest Wyoming facing at North Platte at 3 p.m., Northeastern Junior College meeting Casper College at 6 p.m., and WNCC facing Sheridan College at 8 p.m.

At the women's tournament in Sterling, the quarterfinals are set after four more games on Saturday.

Action Saturday saw Central Wyoming earn a 72-54 win over Lamar Community College, Otero coming back to down Western Wyoming 60-47, Miles beating McCook 56-41, and Northeast Nebraska beating Northwest Wyoming 76-69.

Quarterfinal action on Sunday will have Central Wyoming facing Sheridan at 1 p.m., Otero taking on Western Nebraska at 3 p.m., Miles City meeting Casper at 5 p.m., and Northeast Nebraska facing Northeastern Colorado at 7 p.m.

Lamar (16-15) 32 46 -- 78
WNCC (19-12) 34 46 -- 80
LAMAR
Allen Tate 11, Arden Dennis 7, Ron Waller 10, Melvin Williams 11, Tidjane DIop 4, James Holmes 6, Jordan Hill 5, Kevin Hinsey 14, Andre Wells 1, Petar Milasinovic 9.
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Geoffrey Firmin 8, O'Rion Hughes 1, Joe Stock 16, Francisco Cruz 33, Geddes Robinson 12, Saul Torres 4, Mateus Chaves 3, Ritchie Mundende 3.

WNCC softball takes two from Otero Junior College behind 9 RBI night from Jordan Schoepflin

LA JUNTA, Colo. -- Jordan Schoepflin belted two home runs and nine RBIs as the Western Nebraska Community College softball team won a conference doubleheader Saturday against Otero Junior College Saturday in La Junta, Colo.

The Cougars won the first game 3-1 in eight innings as Schoepflin had a 2-run home run in the extra inning. WNCC captured the second game 12-2 as Schoepflin had 7 RBIs, a home run and two doubles to improve the Cougars to 10-1 and 3-1 in conference play.

Schoepflin said the first-game victory was huge for momentum.

"The home run was huge because not only did it give us a tw-run lead, it made us more relaxed and excited as we went back out on the field to hold them for the win. It also helped bring a lot of momentum and excitement into the second game."

WNCC coach Maria Winn-Ratliff said, more importantly, these wins help the team in their march to win the conference.

"it was nice for us to go on the road and get two big conference wins," Winn-Ratliff said. "We had several different players stwp up big for us at key times. I was very impressed with our teams composure in both games."
"Jordan got off to a slow start but came up with a big hit for us in the eighth, and it was nice to have Adena {Hagen] on base. Both Taylor {Anderson] and Britt {Enterline] did a great job keeping their hitters off balance and the ball in the park."

In the opener, Taylor Anderson struck out nine while scattering five hits in getting the pitching win.

Offensively, the Cougars managed five hits as Adena Hagen was the only Cougar with multiple hits. Hagen earned a walk in the eighth before Schoepflin's go-ahead home run.

WNCC rode Schoepflin's heroic effort in the opener in the second game as they scored two runs in the first inning and seven in the second inning for a 7-1 lead.

In the first inning, Allie Alverson and Hagen scored on a Schoepflin double to go up 2-0.

WNCC added five more runs in the second inning on seven hits. Alverson delivered a 2-run scoring single, Hagen had a run-scoring single, and Schoepflin a 2-run scoring double, before Ashton Hughes finished off the inning with a run-scoring double. Brittany Chacon also added a solo home run in the inning.

The Cougars went up 10-1 in the third inning after Hagen singled and scored on Schoepflin's third home run of the year.

WNCC pounded out 14 hits in the five-inning, run-rule-shortened game. Schoepflin went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run, two runs scored and seven RBIs. Also collecting multiple hits were Hagen, Hughes and Burditt with two hits each. Hagen was 2-for-2 with a double and three runs scored, while Burditt was 2-for-2 with two runs. Hughes was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.

Alverson and Katie Groves each scored two runs on one hit. Alverson also had two RBIs.

WNCC, 10-1, will take on Garden City Community College on Sunday in Garden CIty, Kan.

"We have to get refocused and come out ready to play tomorrow against Garden," Winn-Ratliff said. "They have been playing very well and its always a tough place to play."

Game One
WNCC 001 000 02 -- 3 5 1
Otero 000 100 00 -- 1 5 1
WP -- Taylor Anderson (4-1); HR -- Jordan Schoepflin.

Game Two
WNCC (10-1) 253 02 -- 12 14 1
Otero (9-11) 101 00 -- 2 5 2
WP -- Brittany Enterline (4-0); 2B -- Schoepflin (2), Adena Hagen, Ashton Hughes; HR -- Schoepflin, Brittany Chacon.

WNCC women open Region IX tournament with win over Little Big Horn College

STERLING, Colo. – If the Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team played every game like they did the first five minutes of their Region IX tournament opener against Little Big Horn College Friday afternoon at Sterling, Colo., they would be unbeaten on the season.

The Cougars used an 11-0 to start the game and then cruised to an easy 79-52 win over the Rams in the Cougars’ tournament opener.

Stormye Everett paced the Cougar attack with 23 points, followed by Bayard’s Amber Kistler with 17. Kistler also had two 3-pointers and four assists in the Cougar’s 24^th win of the season.

“We came out really strong in the beginning and then our defense kind of got sloppy, and then we ended up coming back in the second half,” Kistler said. “There really is no reason that they should have scored 50, but a win is a win and in the end we at least get to move on. We beat them by 29, almost 30 points, so it helps with our confidence. We know we can score and we know we have a really good chance at winning this if we just play Cougar basketball.”

As well as the Cougars started the game, they also did have moments of non-brilliance. All five starters put in a bucket to open the contest to lead 11-2 before Little Big Horn scored their first bucket about five minutes into the game. WNCC pushed the lead to 20-3 on five points by Kelli Culver, including a 3-pointer.

The Cougars pushed the lead to 26-7 before the rams went on a 12-2 run to slice the lead to single digits, 26-19. WNCC quickly put a halt to the Rams’ run as Yuki Morimoto nailed a bucket followed by back-to-back field goals by Everett. Kistler then connected on 3-pointer and then scored on a lay up with a minute to play to help WNCC to a 39-24 halftime lead.

Kistler said it was the teams start that helped them assert themselves in the opening-round game.

“In the first five minutes of the game, we just went hard,” she said. “We rebounded the ball, we ran the break, we made good passes, and we were really clean. We need to play that kind of basketball the whole time. “

The second half was all WNCC as the Cougars opened the half on a 21-6 run as Everett had 11 points.

WNCC blistered the nets for 54 percent shooting compared to 28 for Little Big Horn. The Cougars also out-rebounded the Rams 49-22 led by Everett with six. Kistler, Shelby Campbell, Thais Pinto and Kelli Culver all had five boards.

Besides Everett and Kistler hitting the double-digit scoring column, Morimot and Carolina Alves also chipped in 10 points each.

Kistler says the competition only gets tougher. The Cougars will next play Sunday at 3 p.m. against the winner of the Western Wyoming and Otero Junior College contest that will be played Sunday.

“The combination does get harder. The rides and the games take a toll on your body, but we just need to go hard like we did the first few minutes,” she said. “But, we get to rest a whole day, get our feet up, rest and we don’t have to travel.”

"We know we can play with any team as long as we play our game. We have come a long way from those losses [Against Otero and Eastern Wyoming]. I think we actually needed those losses to make us realize how hard we need to play to advance in this tournament.”

Little Big Horn 24 28 – 52

WNCC (24-7 39 40 – 79

LITTLE BIG HORN

Tanell Poitier 2, Tracy Lewis 11, Loretta Brown 13, Tiffany Eildgoose 4, Monique Iron Shell 8, Charla takes Enemy9, Coty Harris 2, Lawissa Natan 3.

WESTERN NEBRASKA

Amber Kistler 17; Stormye Everett 23, Shelby Campbell 1, Yuki Morimoto 10, Tiffany Moorer 6, Carolina Alves 10, Thais Pinto 4, Kelli Culver 8.

WNCC Cougar men ready for regional tournament in Sheridan, Wyo.

The Western Nebraska Community College men’s basketball team enters this weekend’s regional tournament in Sheridan, Wyo., with nothing to lose, and that is exactly how they are approaching the post-season.

The Cougar men, after starting the season 9-1, are 18-12 on the season as they enter the post-season tourney this weekend in Sheridan, Wyo. WNCC begins tournament play Saturday at 8 p.m. against Lamar Community College, the defending Region IX champions. The tournament tips off Friday afternoon with four first-round games.

WNCC head coach Russ Beck said his team, hopefully, put Monday’s regular season-ending loss to Eastern Wyoming College, where they shot 19 percent in the second half, behind them.

“I told the boys that the loss on Monday will be one of two things,” he said. “It might light a fire underneath our belly and we might just go up and win this tournament, or else it will be the punch just before the knock-out blow and we will bow out early.”

The Cougars’ loss to EWC was a disappointment after topping Northeastern Junior College 86-85 in a heart-pounding win. Beck said that this team has refocused and feels they will be ready.

“They are working very hard. We had a good team meeting and we talked about where we are at, whom supports this team, and that this is more than a basketball game or basketball team,” he said. “The community really gets behind us and there are a lot of kids and people that come to the games to be a part of something. I think that opened their eyes a little bit too why we play and why we are the Cougars. I can see that they are working harder in practice. They are a little bit more focused and they are a little more attentive to things that are going on on the floor.”

WNCC does not have an easy road to the national title. They open up against Lamar on Saturday, a team they split with this season. If they happen to win, they will face the winner of the Western Wyoming and Sheridan College team on Sunday.

WNCC defeated Lamar 73-47 back on Dec. 1 before falling to the Runnin’ Lopes 66-57 on Jan. 15.

“We played pretty well against them at home and they didn’t play well when they were here,” Beck said. “It kind of was the flip-flop in the second game where we didn’t play well and they played extremely well. They are a team that is capable of shooting the three. They are fairly athletic. As they hit shots, they become more and more confident.

“We have to hunker down and give them a lot of ball pressure and make them make plays off the bounce. We have to make sure we rebound it because down at their place we gave up way too many offensive rebounds. We need more guys boxing out.”

WNCC turned its season around after the North Platte game on Feb. 5 when the Knights topped the Cougars 81-60. It was then the team changed to a more ball-hawking defense. Since that defensive change, the team has buckled down.

“For us to do well we need a combination of things to happen and we really need to play good defense,” Beck said. “For the Cougars, our best offensive and best games overall are when we have been playing our best defense. It is about being conscious of some of our rules defensively in our man-to-man. When we stick to that, we are pretty effective. We also need to hit free throws and we need to limit our turnovers.”
Action in the men’s tournament tips off Friday with four first-round games. Laramie County Community College faces Northeast Nebraska at 1 p.m., North Platte Community College faces Trinidad State Junior College at 3 p.m., Casper College faces Dawson Community College at 5 p.m., and Sheridan meets Western Wyoming at 8 p.m.

Saturday’s first-round games include Central Wyoming facing Miles Community College at 1 p.m., Northwest Wyoming meeting Gillette College at 3 p.m., Northeastern Junior College facing McCook at 6 p.m. and WNCC meeting Lamar at 8 p.m.

Quarterfinals are slated for Sunday, semi-finals for Monday and the championship will be Tuesday at 7 p.m.

WNCC games can be heard on KOZY 101.3 or on the web at kozy1013.com. All the games will also be video streamed on the web from the Sheridan College website located at http://www.scgenerals.com/regionix/.

WNCC women's basketball team set for regional tournament on Friday

The Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball team will be looking to capture its sixth Region IX championship in eight years when they take part in this weekend’s Region IX championship in Sterling, Colo.

The Cougars will begin that quest on Friday against Little Big Horn College on a good note after winning their last five contests, including a 66-48 win against Northeastern Junior College on Sunday. The tournament runs through March 9 with the championship game. Tip-off for the opening round contest is slated for 3 p.m.

WNCC enters with a 23-7 record and a number one seed from the East Sub-region, but they don’t enter the tournament as the favorite as Casper College (27-3) and Northeastern Junior College (24-5) are the picks to win the tournament.

“We are on a good side of the bracket,” WNCC coach Dave Harnish said. “We are opposite the two strongest teams in the region in Casper and Sterling and we wouldn’t have to see them until the championship game. But, you don’t know what would happen. It is us to get to that point and not looking ahead.”

The scenario for the regional tournament is practically the same as two seasons ago when the Cougars went to regionals in Miles City, Mont., they were not the favorite. Miles City entered the tourney with just one loss on the season and was picked to win the title. WNCC played tough defense throughout the tourney and captured the regional title in 2008 over Miles City.

Harnish said that is the same story this season.

“In a regional tournament anything can happen because everybody starts with a 0-0 record,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you come in with a 2 seed, a 1 seed, or a 4 seed; everyone has the same opportunity to win the regional tournament. It is whoever gets hot and who is playing well. The way we played Sunday, we can carry that on. If we can do that, we certainly can go in and win the championship. IF we don’t do the things that we have to do, we are not going to.”

WNCC definitely is playing some of their best basketball after going through a month of trials and tribulations. The Cougars have won their last five games after falling in back-to-back contests to Casper and Eastern Wyoming College.

Since those two losses, the Cougars picked it up a notch, topping Northeast Nebraska 71-69, McCook 76-51, Lamar 77-44, Eastern Wyoming 70-65 and NJC 66-48.

The big key in those wins was defense and rebounding, the two things that Harnish said will be crucial to the team’s success this weekend.

“We really haven’t had a problem scoring; it really is about rebounding both offensively and defensively and stopping other teams,” he said. “We have done a better job, but it remains to be seen if we can do that four nights in a row.”

Consistency in rebounding and defending really has hurt the team this season. The Cougars, who are usually one of the top defensive teams in the region year in and year out, are sixth this season fiving up 60.3 points a game. On the flipside, the Cougars are second In region in offensive output, scoring 74.6 points a game. Casper is the only team scoring more points at 78 points a clip.

“It has been a tough semester going into the tournament,” Harnish said. “I think we have made progress the last two weeks and definitely put it all together against Northeastern Junior College on Sunday. The fact remains is can we do that for four game stretch of regional tournament. That will be the key. “

Harnish said he knows little about his first round opponent, Little Big Horn. Little Big Horn enters the tournament with an 11-18 record. He said that he isn’t worried about Little Big Horn, it is getting his team prepared that is fundamentally important.

“Regardless of who we play, it is about what we do on the floor,” he said. “As long as we are willing to compete and rebound the ball, we should be able to move forward in the tourney. It doesn’t matter who we play or what they do, it is a matter of how we are going to come out and play. If we can do the things that I know we can do, we should be fine.”

The tournament opens up Friday and Saturday with first-round contests. Friday’a action has Gillette College taking on Sheridan College at 1 p.m.; WNCC facing Little Big Horn at 3 p.m., Dawson Community College meeting Casper College at 5 p.m., and Eastern Wyoming College facing Northeastern Junior College at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s action has Central Wyoming facing Lamar Community College at 1 p.m., Otero Junior College meeting Western Wyoming at 3 p.m., McCook Community College facing Miles Community College at 5 p.m. and Northwest College facing Northeast Community College at 7 p.m.

WNCC, if they win, will face the winner of the Otero and Western Wyoming game Sunday at 3 p.m. The semi-finals are slated for Monday.

The Cougar games can be heard on Wild Country 106.9 or on the web at wildcountry1069.com. The games are also being video streamed online from gonjc.com.

WNCC men fall to EWC in regular season finale, will next take part in regional tournament this weekend

TORRINGTON, Wyo -- The Eastern Wyoming College men’s basketball team didn’t have anything to lose Monday and they came out and played one of their best defensive games of the season in registering a commanding win over Western Nebraska Community College 66-46.

The Lancers finish the season at 4-20, including wins over Northwest Wyoming and WNCC in the final weeks of the season.

The Cougars will try to put this loss behind them and move into the Region IX tournament that begins Friday in Sheridan, Wyo. The Cougars, 18-12, will face Lamar Community College on Saturday at 8 p.m.

The story of the game was the Lancers second half defense as they held a potent Cougar team to just six points in the first 16 minutes of the second half. EWC trailed 31-28 at intermission and opened the second 20 minutes with a 12-0 run. WNCC didn’t score their first bucket of the first half until the 12:31 mark on a Geddes Robinson bucket.

“I think we played alright in the first half. We held them to 31 points and our emphasis has been on defense all year,” Lancer assistant coach Joel Taylor said. “We held them to 15 points in the second half and that is what we wanted to do defensively.”

The Lancers were sparked by their two sophomores, Lance Korell and Winston Harris, who combined for 28 points and five 3-pointers.

Taylor said the big key to the game was the play of those two sophomores.

“Those two sophomores and Coach [Casey] Jones not being here, we had a lot to play for besides just a basketball game,” he said. “It was sophomore night for two of our guys and Coach Jones is on the road because he didn’t want to be around because he had a hard time with the suspension, so we put those guys above us, and decided to play 40 minutes for the first time this year.”

For the Cougars, it was second half shooting that did the Scottsbluff team in. After shooting 54 percent in the first half, the Cougars shot just 19 percent in the final 20 minutes (6-of-32).

The Cougars played well in the first half leading 14-6 early on two Joe Stock 3-pointers. EWC came back to take a 22-21 lead on a Korell 3-pointer and held a 28-26 lead, WNCC scored the next five points on two free throws by Robinson and a 3-pointer by Francisco Cruz.

Cruz led the team with 14 points followed by Robinson with 13 points.

Taylor said this win is a testament for the seven players on the team that kept battling through the season.

“We knew we were out of the tournament and we known that for a few weeks now,” Taylor said. “The seven that dressed tonight have known that for a while and to their credit they have come to practice every day, worked their tails off, kept their attitude up, and just wanted to finish on a high note. It is great for our two sophomores, Lance and Winston.”

WNCC (18-12) 31 15 46
EWC (4-26) 28 38 66
WESTERN NEBRASKA
Andre Marone 2, ORion Hughes 4, Joe Stock 9, Ritchie Mundende 4, Francisco Cruz 14, Geddes Robinson 13.
EASTERN WYOMING
Fola Adeleke 5, Lance Korell 14, Zach Young 2, Matt Schackow 8, TK Kairys 6, Winston Harris 14, Ivan Simic 17.