MCCOOK – The Western Nebraska Community College and McCook Community College traded shutout wins on Thursday in McCook in Empire Conference action.

                WNCC received a complete-game pitching performance from Clayden Brandon in game 1 as the right-hander went all seven innings in allowing just three hits for the 5-0 win.

                Game two saw WNCC outhit McCook 8-7, but the Cougars just couldn't get  key hit to score any runners as McCook captured the 9-inning, game two 4-0.

                Game one was a complete win for the Cougars as they scored five early runs and then let the defense and Brandon take care of the rest for the win.

                WNCC started the game as the first three batters all drew walks to load the bases. Landon Lockwood scored the first run as he hit a sacrifice fly. Cooper Wilson scored the second run as he scored on a wild pitch for the 2-0 lead.

                The second inning was just as impressive as Will Harbinson walked and Tucker Deal singled to put two on. Harbison and Deal each scored on a fielding error. Jase Satterfield later scored on a sacrifice fly for the 5-0 lead.

                WNCC did load the bases in the fifth with one out, but couldn't get any runners in.

                WNCC managed just five hits in the opener as Catcher Gladysh had two of the hits. Jase Satterfield had two RBIs in the win.

                Brandon struck out four and walked just two in the complete game victory. Brandon faced just 25 McCook Indians in seven innings of work.

                McCook scored first as J. Bullock rocketed a 2-run home run in the second. McCook went on to add single runs in the third and fourth innings to lead 4-0.

                WNCC tried coming back in the third when Austin Cooper led off the inning with a double, but he was left stranded on base.

                WNCC had an opportunity in the fifth when Cooper and Matt Levesque each singled, but the two were left stranded once again.

                The seventh was the same as the fifth as Cooper Burgess and Harbison each singled to lead off the inning, but the Cougars failed to get the base hit to get the runners to home plate.

                The ninth saw WNCC get two on with two outs as Cooper walked and Ren Sato singled, but that was it.

                Levesque and Cooper each had two of the Cougars' eight hits.

                The two teams will be back in action Friday when McCook travels to WNCC for another doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Cleveland Field.

Game 1
WNCC                320 000 0 – 5 5 0
McCook             000 000 0 – 0 3 4
WP – Clayden Brandon.

Game 2
WNCC                000 000 000 – 0 8 0
McCook             021 100 00x – 4 7 0
LP – Julian Garza.
2B – Austin Cooper.