The Western Nebraska Community College softball team used some timely hitting as the Cougars won their seventh straight and their 30th win of the season in claiming a doubleheader sweep over Northeastern Junior College Friday afternoon at Volunteer Field.
The Cougars used a sixth-inning, 2-run home run from Mickie Mills in the first game to claim a 6-5 win. The second game saw Mills pick up the complete game pitching performance in leading the Cougars to the 7-3 win.
The wins gave the Cougars the outright conference championship and solidified the Cougars in hosting the Region IX tournament next week beginning Thursday.
The Cougars used a sixth-inning, 2-run home run from Mickie Mills in the first game to claim a 6-5 win. The second game saw Mills pick up the complete game pitching performance in leading the Cougars to the 7-3 win.
The Cougars used a sixth-inning, 2-run home run from Mickie Mills in the first game to claim a 6-5 win. The second game saw Mills pick up the complete game pitching performance in leading the Cougars to the 7-3 win.
WNCC moves to 22-6 on the season and 30-18 overall as they close out the regular season Saturday when they host McCook Community College in a doubleheader at Volunteer Field beginning at 2 p.m. McCook comes in with a 13-15 conference record and 26-28 overall.
Friday's games weren't easy for the Cougars. WNCC fell behind the eight-ball in the opening inning with NJC scoring three runs. WNCC answered with two in the first to cut the deficit to 3-2.
WNCC took its first lead of the contest as they score two in the fourth. With tow outs, Tylar Davis earned a walk and scored on a Emma Glawson hit that was dropped by the rightfielder. WNCC took the 4-3 lead as Glawson scored on a Lindsey Allie single.
The Plainswomen came right back with single runs in the fifth and sixth to grab a 5-4 lead. WNCC regained the lead as Allie reaches base on an error. Mills then took the fourth pitch over the leftfield fence for the go-ahead 2-run dinger.
Both teams had just six hits in the contest. Mills led the offense with two hits, including a home run, two runs scored, and two RBIs. Baesler had a double with two RBIs. Mills, Baesler and Allie each had a stolen base.
Emma McMillan picked up the win, going 6 2/3 innings in scattering three hits, allowing two runs, and striking out five.
WNCC came out hot in the second game, grabbing a 4-1 lead in the opening frame and never looked back in the 7-3 win.
The Cougars scored their four runs in the first on just three hits. Mills led off with a double followed by a single by Abriana Ramirez. Mills scores on an error to tie the game at 1-1. Bri George then gets a RBI bunt single for the 2-1 lead. Kelly and Grorge later scored to lead 4-1.
WNCC added single runs in the second, fifth, and sixth for their seven runs.
WNCC outhit NJC 9-6 in the contest. Ramirez and Sam Davis led the offense with two hits each. Ramirez had a stolen base, run scored, and RBI, while Sam Davis had a run scored.
Mills had a double while Baesler had a home run in the contest.
Mills went the distance in getting the pitching win, scattering six hits with three runs scored while striking out two.
Game 1
NJC 300 011 0 – 5 6 4
WNCC 200 202 x – 6 6 2
WP – Emma McMillan.
2B – Hannah Baesler.
HR – Mickie Mills.
Game 2
NJC 101 010 0 – 3 6 3
WNCC 410 011 x – 7 9 4.
WP – Mickie Mills.
2B – Mickie Mills.
HR – Hannah Baesler.