MCCOOK — The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team improved to 4-0 in Empire Conference play with a doubleheader sweep of McCook Community College on Friday in McCook.

The Cougars, who also evened their overall record at 9-9, earned a 7-5 win in game one and edged the Indians 5-4 in the second game. The teams will play another doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.

In Friday's opener, Claude Bova continued his strong start to the season on the mound for the Cougars. The freshman allowed four earned runs on just five hits and struck out six in six innings of work to get the win. Zac Moran pitched a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts to record the save.

In game two, WNCC scored a run in the top of the ninth to escape with a one-run win. Alex Achtermann led the Cougars' 10-hit attack with four hits. He also scored two runs. Randels added a double and drove in two.

Nate Giefer earned the win on the mound in relief. He allowed just one hit and struck out four in three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Jacob Pekol got the no decision as the starter. He struck out five in six innings of work.

Game One

WNCC            006 001 0 — 7 7 0
McCook          200 003 0 — 5 5 3

WP — Claude Bova; HR — Ryan Grasser, Isaac Taylor, Brock Randels. 2B — Alex Achterman.

WNCC          001 003 001 — 5 10 2
McCook        011 011 000 — 4 9 1

WP — Nate Giefer.; 2B — Brock Randels.