The Western Nebraska Community College softball team dropped a conference doubleheader Sunday to Luna Community College despite playing strong in both games early.

                The first game saw Luna score five runs in the final three innings to claim the 11-8 win. Game two saw Luna hit two grand slams and scored nine, fourth-inning runs to claim the 17-7 win.

                The two teams will be back in action Monday for another conference doubleheader beginning at 12 noon.

                The first game saw the Cougars play well for the first five innings, scoring eight runs and holding an 8-6 lead through five innings.

                WNCC was clicking early, scoring twice in the first as Tori Travers had a double and scored on a passed ball. WNCC loaded the bases with two outs and score one as Abbey Arntsen scored on a passed ball but that was all they could get for the 2-0 lead.

                After Luna tied the game with two in the top of the third, the Cougars went back in front with three in the bottom of the third. Travers drew a lead off walk and scored on a Jasmine Castro home run. WNCC loaded the bases with just one out and the third run was forced in after Viktoria Sarkanyova walked. WNCC left the bases loaded in the frame.

                That was when Luna came back with three in the fourth to tie the game at 5-5 and then went ahead 6-5 with a single run in the fifth. WNCC answered in the bottom of the fifth with three runs. The big hit in the inning was a Castro 2-out single that scored two runs to make it 8-6.

                Luna came back to go up 9-8 with three runs in the sixth and added three more in the seventh for the 11-8 lead.

                WNCC had seven hits in the contest with Travers, Castrom and Gracie Holm each getting two hits. Castro had three RBIs, while Travers and Arntsen each scored two runs.

                WNCC started the second game strong as they held a 5-1 lead after two innings. The Cougars scored two in the first

                WNCC plated two in the first as they loaded the bases with just one out. Mia Migliaccio then got a single to rightfield to score two runs but Cougars left two in scoring position for the 2-1 lead.

                The Cougars added three more in the second to make it 5-1. Hayley Blumenschein led off with a walk and then Ellie Soper singled. Both came in to score on a Tina Horton home run.

                Luna came back with six runs in the third, scoring all six runs with two outs that included a grand slam and then a solo home run for the 7-5 lead. The Cougars tied the game with two in the bottom of the third. Gracie Holm led off by reaching on an error and scored on a Viktoria Sarkanyova single. Sarkanyova scored on a sacrifice bunt by Ellie Soper.

                The fourth inning saw Luna score nine times eight of the runs coming with two outs, including a second grand slam along with a solo home run with both home runs get caught up in the 30 mph winds and cleared the rightfield fence for the 16-7 lead. Luna added a solo home run to rightfield for the 17-7 win.

                WNCC finished with five hits as seven different batters had at least one hit. Horton and Migliaccio each had two RBIs.

Game 1
Luna                    002 313 3 – 11 13 2
WNCC                203 030 0 – 8 7 2
LP – Mia Migliaccio.
2B – Tori Travers.
HR – Jasmine Castro.

Game 2
Luna                    106 91 – 17 13 2
WNCC                232 00 – 7 5 4
LP – Gracie Holm.
HR – Tina Horton.