PUEBLO, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team outhit Southeast Community College 12-10, but went scoreless in the final five innings in falling to the Bobcats 11-4 in an elimination game at the Region IX Tournament in Pueblo, Colorado, Saturday.

                The Cougars end the season at 24-35 after finishing fourth in the Empire Conference with a 14-14 record.

                In other games on Saturday, Northeastern Junior College needed 10 innings to get by McCook 7-6, and then Southeast eliminated McCook 12-9. That sets up the championship game between NJC and Southeast. Both teams have qualified for the district finals with the winner hosting the district finals along with the champions from the Regions 1 and 18 next weekend.

                The contest was actually a competitive game through seven innings as anyone could have won.

                WNCC struck first with two in the second, with Cooper Wilson and Jude Russell getting singles and both scoring on a Dakota Alber double. WNCC stranded two runners on base for the 2-0 lead.

                Southeast came back with a run in the second and three in the third for a 4-2 lead. The Cougars tied the game with two in the fourth. Russell and Alber started the frame with back-to-back doubles. WNCC loaded the bases when Ty Beutner earned a walk. Vaughn Wilson then doubled home two runs with just one out. The Cougars left two runners stranded in scoring position the rest of the inning.

                Southeast would score runs in the next four innings to take an 11-4 lead, while holding the Cougars scoreless. WNCC had opportunities, getting the first batter aboard in four of the last five innings, but couldn't get the runner home.

                WNCC outhit Southeast 12-10. Jase Satterfield led the Cougars with a 3-for-4 performance, while Russell and Alber each had two hits. Alber had two doubles with two RBIs, while Russell scored twice.

                The difference in the game was pitching as Southeast's two pitchers walked just two and struck out 14 Cougars. WNCC's four pitchers walked seven and struck out seven.

                WNCC had five players make the all-region team in honors that were announced before the tournament. Catcher Gladysh and Harrison Hart earned first-team honors. Gladysh was honored as a utility player, while Hart received the honor for designated hitter. Will Harbison, Vaughn Wilson, and Allard Helms all earned second-team nods. Harbison was recognized for first base, Wilson for shortstop, and Helms for pitcher.

WNCC                020 200 000 – 4 12 3
Southeast          013 012 13x – 11 10 0
LP – Payton Denny.
2B – Dakota Alber 2, Catcher Gladysh, Jude Russell, Vaughn Wilson.