STERLING, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team fell twice to Northeastern Junior College on Thursday in an Empire Conference doubleheader in Sterling, Colorado.
In the opener, NJC's Tanner Schoeninger tossed a 2-hitter in shutting out the Cougars 10-0. The second game saw a pitcher's duel between Jacob Pekol and NJC's Jordan Chappell before the Plainsmen scored a single run in the seventh for the 3-2 win.
The second game saw NJC grab a 2-0 lead in the third. WNCC tied the game in the seventh with two runs. WNCC's two runs came as Brandan Maher scored on a wild pitch and then Esai Hernandez singled home Tyler Olson.
NJC won the came on a no-out, bases loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh.
WNCC finished with just three hits in the contest. Harrison Yates had a double for the only extra base hit.
Neither starting pitcher picked up a decision. Jonathan Bermudez, who pitched the final 1 1/3, suffered the loss, giving up a run on two hits. Pekol went five strong innings in allowing three hits, two runs, while striking out five.
NJC's Chappell went 6 1/3 innings but gets a no-decision as Trystan Kimmel closed out the game and got the win.
The second game saw NJC take a 2-0 lead in the second and then plated eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings for the run-rule shortened game.
WNCC managed just two singles in the contest, both from Mitch Lightbody.
Blake Slaymaker suffered the loss, going five innings in allowing five hits, four runs, and striking out two. Kale Litzelman went one-third of an inning i9n giving up three hits and six runs.
WNCC will be back in action for a 9-inning contest on Saturday when they host Lamar Community College at 3 p.m. at Cleveland Field.
Game 1
WNCC 000 000 – 0 2 2
NJC 020 026 – 10 8 1
LP – Blake Slaymaker
Game 2
WNCC 000 000 2 – 2 3 0
NJC 002 000 1 – 3 6 1
LP – Jonathan Bermudez
2B – Harrison Yates