Whitney Fields struck out six in the Western Nebraska Community College softball team's 5-0 shutout over Western Texas College Saturday afternoon at Volunteer Field.

                Fields' stellar performance in the circle helped the Cougars rebound from an 8-3 loss in the first game. The sophomore went the distance in the second game, scattering eight hits.

                "The second game we were just trying to make plays and do all the little things to make the big things happen and then the shut-out just happened," the sophomore pitcher said.

                Overall, though, Fields said they did alright on the day despite having to settle for the split.

                "The first game we had a hard time in getting hits," she said. "The second game we made a lot of crucial plays and strung together a lot more hits than the first game."

                The second game was definitely played like the Cougars know how to play with sharp defensive plays and timely hitting. WNCC managed just seven singles in the win, but the hits came at the right time.

                "The first game we really didn't make that many good plays and the second game we were making those plays and stringing together hits," she said.

                Now, the Cougars need to build off that second-game shut-out win as they host Dawson Community College Sunday at noon for another doubleheader. Fields said they have to be ready to play in the opening game.

                "We need to come out stronger in the first game tomorrow," she said. "We didn't get the first game today and we have to make sure we get those hits and stay strong through the first and second game."

                The second game was definitely the way the Cougars are able to play. The contest, however, was not extra base-hitting contest as Courtney Medina, Haille Weber, and Kenzie Sawyer paced the team with two hits each, all singles. Sawyer and Medina each scored two runs each. Weber led the team with two RBIs in the win. Sawyer also had two stolen bases in the win.

                WNCC scored single runs in the first and second and then added three insurance runs in the fourth on four singles. Sawyer started the frame with a single. After stealing second, Sawyer scored on a Celyn Whitt single. Medina then followed with a 2-out single and then Christian Bobian was plunked by the pitch to load the bases. Weber came through with second-pitch single that scored two runs for the 5-0 lead.

                That was all the runs WNCC needed as Fields and the Cougar defense kept the Westerners at bay.

                The first game was another intense contest. WNCC took the lead 2-0 before Western Texas scored five straight points, including a grand slam in the fourth inning from Kawena Cabrera for a 5-2 lead.

                WNCC came right back in the bottom of the fourth and scored another run as Whitt earned a one-out bases-loaded walk. The Cougars, however, left the bases loaded.

                Western Texas added two insurance runs in the sixth and another in the seventh to salt the win away.

                WNCC managed eight hits in the opening contest – all singles. Medina led the team with two singles. She also had two RBIs and two stolen bases. Payten Davies finished the game with two runs scored with a single.

                Andy Hancock struck out eight while giving up 13 hits and right runs to take the loss in the circle.

                WNCC will return to action Sunday with a doubleheader with Dawson Community College beginning at noon before hosting Luna Community College on Monday at 10 a.m.

First Game

W. Texas              001 402 1 – 8 13 2

WNCC                   020 100 0 – 3 8 1

LP – Andy Hancock.      

Second Game

W. Texas                              000 000 0 – 0 8 0

WNCC (16-6)                      110 300 x – 5 7 0

WP – Whitney Fields.