The Western Nebraska Community College softball team split a doubleheader with Dawson Community College on Saturday at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff.
The first game saw the Cougars play well early as they had a 6-4 lead. It was an 8-run, fifth inning that pushed Dawson to the win 17-6.
The second game was a scoreless contest until the Cougars scored seven in the fourth to go on to the 10-2 run-ruled win in five innings.
Madi VanRiper, who had two home runs on the day including a grand slam, said they had a rough patch in the opening game and then rebounded in the second game.
"We came out of the gate a lot more hot. We had a talk that we needed to make changes and those changes were made," the sophomore transfer said. "We played with a lot of heart and a lot of energy (in the second game)."
The second game was where the Cougars got the big lead and didn't let Dawson back in the game, which was something they didn't do in game one on Saturday. VanRiper said that is the way need to play all the time.
"We definitely needed to play at full speed instead of not playing at our full potential," she said. "
The fourth inning was the key when they entire lineup got big hits and did the little things to race to the 7-0 lead, including two home runs, first from Jenika Fuentes with a 2-run shot and then VanRiper with a monster grand slam.
"That grand slam felt amazing and knowing that I had my team behind my back the whole way was a great feeling," she said.
But, VanRiper said the win was definitely a team win and that was shown in the win on Saturday.
"Everyone has a role on this team," she said. "It is not only the big hits, but the little hits go a long way, too. It is the bunts get us over and then we have another person to get a hit to get us in. All hits matter with us."
Game two was a defensive show for the first three innings as both pitchers were controlling the game. WNCC's Jenika Fuentes had a strong outing in allowing just two runs on five hits and let her defense take care of business behind her.
Offensively, it was the Cougars' fourth inning that was the highlight, and it was a team effort from everyone in the lineup.
The fourth started with a single by Sierra Hilgner. Fuentes then blasted a 2-run home run for the 2-0 lead. After that Bailey Legere singled, Randi Mitchell got on by an error, and Bailee Krueger walked to load the bases. With one out, VanRiper took a full-count pitch and sky-rocketed over the centerfield fence for the grand slam and the 6-0 lead. WNCC added another run when Katelyn Czerpakd reached on an error and scored on a Hilgner double.
Dawson scored two in the fifth and the Cougar defense left the bases loaded as they minimized the damage. The Cougars built off that defensive stand and put the game away via the 8-run rule in the fifth.
It all started with Legere getting a single followed by a Mitchell walk. Legere scored on a Krueger single and Mitchell scores on a VanRiper triple. That set up the game-ending play when Devyn Priselac had a grounder back to the pitcher and reached first on an error which saw VanRiper score the game-ending run.
WNCC finished the game with eight hits. VanRiper, Hilgner, and Legere led the way with two hits each. VanRiper had a triple, home runs, two runs scored, and five RBIs in the contest, while Legere had two runs scored with two singles. Hilgner had a double.
Game one saw Dawson score two in the first but WNCC came back to get four in the third for a 4-2 lead. The third saw Legere with the big hit, a 2-run home run for the lead.
Dawson tied the game with two in the fourth, but WNCC answered with two in the bottom of the frame. Van Riper started things with a solo home run and then Hilgner doubled in Czerpak to make it 6-4.
Dawson responded with eight in the fifth and five in the sixth for the 17-6 win.
WNCC was led by Legere with a home run and two RBIs, while Czerpak had two runs scored.
WNCC will be back in action this weekend when they travel to face Lamar Community College on Saturday and Sunday before continuing on to a Spring Break mini road trip to Oklahoma and Texas. WNCC be back at home March 16-17 when they host Trinidad State College.
Game 1
Dawson 200 285 – 17 19 5
WNCC 004 200 – 6 5 5
LP – Bella Pacheco.
2B – Sierra Hilgner, Randi Mitchell.
HR – Bailey Legere, Madi VanRiper.
Game 2
Dawson 000 02 – 2 5 3
WNCC 000 73 – 10 8 0
WP – Jenika Fuentes.
2B – Sierra Hilgner.
3B – Madi VanRiper.
HR – Madi VanRiper.