STERLING. Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team plated 36 runs in a Region IX conference doubleheader win over Northeastern Junior College Friday afternoon in Sterling, Colorado.
The first game saw WNCC hit four home runs, two from Payten Davies in registering the 18-3 win. The Cougars offense was even more explosive in game two, pounding out 22 hits with six doubles and three home runs in the 18-5 win.
WNCC coach Katelyn Groves was pleased with how her team played in picking up two team wins.
"We played well today," Groves said. "When we talk about team wins, today is definitely what we mean. Proud of the all in effort the girls had and for the grit shown to support each other. Proud of this group and the selflessness and willingness to step up."
Groves was especially pleased with the effort of Davies and Emily Selby in the circle.
"Emily Selby and Payten Davies did a great job in the circle, providing us with innings and giving us an opportunity to move people around. Tomorrow and Sunday will be a test with four more conference games."
WNCC's team effort showed from the get-go. The first game saw WNCC plate three runs in the first sinning and then opened up the game with an eight spot in the second. The second inning saw Julia Suchan rip a 2-run double to start the scoring.
Madi Jackson followed with a run-scoring single before Lauren Oxford had a run -scoring single. WNCC loaded the bases and Ana Apodaca came through with a run-scoring single. Celyn Whitt then drove in another two with a 2-out double for the 11-0 lead.
WNCC plated two in the third on solo home runs by Jackson and Oxford for the 13-0 lead. WNCC added two more in fourth on a Davies solo home run. Whitt then doubles and scores on a Jackson single. The Cougars put the game away in the fifth on a Davies 3-run home run.
WNCC pounded out 14 hits. Jackson led the attack going 4-for-4 with four RBIs, and three runs scored.
Oxford tallied three hits with a double, home run, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Davies and Whitt each had two hits each. Davies tallied two home runs with three runs scored, four RBIs, and two stolen bases, while Whitt had two doubles two RBIs, and three runs scored.
Ashley Thomas picked up the win in the circle, going 2 2/3 innings in not allowing a hit while striking out three. Davies finished off the game, going 2 1/3 innings in allowing three runs, two hits, and striking out one.
WNCC opened the second game even stronger than the first game, running to a 16-0 lead. The Cougars plated six in the first on six hits. Jasmine Wessel started the scoring with a run-scoring single followed by a 2-run single by Oxford. With two outs, Alyssa Guymon ripped a 2-run home run followed by a solo shot by Apodaca.
WNCC plated four in the second. Whitt led off with a double and scored on a Suchan single. Jackson followed with a double and then Oxford belted a 3-run shot over the left field fence for the 10-0 lead.
The third inning saw the Cougars plate six runs on seven hits. Apodaca and Davies led off with singles. With two outs, Jackson rifles a run-scoring double followed a a 2-run double by Wessel. Thomas finishes off the scoring with a single that scored two for a 16-0 lead.
WNCC's 22 hits came from a variety of players. Whitt led the attack with a 4-for-4 game with two doubles, three runs scored, and a RBI.
WNCC got three hits each from Suchan, Jackson, and Oxford, while Wessel, Guymon, and Apodaca each had two hits.
Suchan finished with a double, two runs scored, and two RBIs, while Jackson had two doubles, two runs scored, and a RBI. Oxford had a home run with six RBIs and three runs scored.
Wessel finished with a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Guymon and Apodaca each had a home run.
Thomas picked up the win in the circle, going two innings while allowing a hit and striking out one. Sarah Linford and Selby each stepped into the pitching circle. Linford went 1 2/3 innings in allowing four hits with two runs and a strikeout, while Selby went 1 1/3 innings in allowing three hits and three runs.
WNCC 16-5, will have a four-game conference series against Trinidad State in Trinidad, Colorado on Saturday and Sunday.
First Game
WNCC 382 23 – 18 14 0
NE Colorado 000 21 – 3 2 2
WP – Ashley Thomas; 2B – Julia Suchan, Celyn Whitt 2, Lauren Oxford; HR – Madi Jacikson, Lauren Oxford, Payten Davies 2.
Second Game
WNCC 646 11 – 18 22 1
NE Colorado 002 03 – 5 8 0
WP – Ashley Thomas; 2B – Jasmine Wessel, Madi Jackson 2, Julia Suchan, Celyn Whitt 2; HR – Ana Apodaca, Alyssa Guymon, Lauren Oxford.