LAMAR, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team ended their season with a 10-2 defeat to Trinidad State Junior College Saturday afternoon at the Region IX tournament in Lamar, Colorado.

                Trinidad State then scored three runs in the sixth inning to top Otero Junior College 4-3, setting up an if-necessary game on Sunday for the championship. The winner advances to face the Kansas regional at the Kansas team' home site May 9-10 for a trip the national tournament in St. George, Utah.

                For the Cougars, it was a matter of not being able to find enough hits in the contest. The Cougars had just three hits compared to 15 for the Trojans.

                Madi Jackson led the team at the plate with two hits in the contest while Reagan Solomon had the other hit.

                WNCC struck first as Brooke Doumer scored on a Michaela Kelly hit for the 1-0 lead. Trinidad came back to plate one in the first and two in the third for a 3-1 lead. The Trojans added four in the fourth to expand the lead to 7-1.

                The Cougars tried making a comeback. WNCC loaded the bases in the sixth and then Solomon scored one with a sacrifice fly. WNCC left the bases juiced after that.

                Trinidad put the game away in the bottom of the frame, scoring three time to end the game on the 8-run rule.

                WNCC ends the season at 21-32 and will lose seven sophomores from this year's team in Madi Jackson, Alyssa Guymon, Allison Parker, Brooke Doumer, Beanie Luttig, Chelsea Gorman, and Christina Nelson.

                The Cougars return six sophomores in pitchers Emma McMillan and Reagan Solomon, and starters Hannah Schaefer, Marlee Grant, Michaela Kelly, Gabby Loya, and Abriana Ramirez.

WNCC                   100 001 – 2 3 2

Trinidad                102 403 – 10 15 2

LP – Emma McMillan