MCCOOK – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team scored five runs in its last at-bat to down Luna Community College 10-9 at the Region IX tournament in McCook on Thursday.
It was the Cougars' second straight last-inning comeback as WNCC scored five runs in the final at-bat against North Platte Community College on Sunday.
The win moves WNCC into a winner's bracket contest against top-seeded McCook Community College at 1 p.m. MDT on Friday.
Tori Travers, who had the walk-off ground ball to score the two game-winning runs, said it was a big win.
"I think it was good to get the first win in the tourney, it propels us further with a strong outlook," Travers said. "I am beyond thankful for these girls and being able to come in hot is everything."
Other action in the first day of the tournament saw Northeastern Junior College down Lamar Community College 10-1. In an elimination game Thursday night, Luna downed Lamar 14-2.
Besides the WNCC and McCook game on Friday, NJC will face second-seeded Southeast Community College at 10 a.m. MDT. The nightcap at 4 p.m. MDT will have Luna playing one of the teams that fall in the earlier Friday games in an elimination contest.
Thursday's tournament opener was definitely a wild one as both teams scored in five of the seven innings. WNCC never led in the contest until the final runs.
Luna struck first with two in the first before WNCC plated a run in the second to make it 2-1. Viktoria Sarkanyova singled in the Cougars' first run.
Luna came back to go up 3-1 in the third only to watch WNCC tie the contest with two in the bottom of the frame as Abbey Arntsen delivered a two-run home run to left field.
Luna went back in front 5-3 on a two-run home run of their own. WNCC tied the game with single runs in the fourth and fifth at 5-5. Sarkanyova scored on a steal of home in the fourth and the fifth saw Alyssa Albaugh deliver a run-scoring double.
The Roughriders came right back to rough up the Cougars with three runs in the sixth on just two singles. Luna plated another run, hoping to be an insurance run in the seventh to lead 9-5.
WNCC was facing their final at-bat and the Cougars scored five times with two outs to get the win. The seventh all started when Arntsen had a one-out triple and scored on an Adi Duke sacrifice fly.
Jasmine Castro and Albaugh followed with singles. Sarkanyova then reached base on an error at third base to load the bases. Ellie Soper plated two runs with a double to centerfield to make it 9-8. After Tina Horton walked on seven pitches to load the bases, Tori Travers took the second pitch and hit the ball to the short-stop area which was misplayed allowing two runs to score for the win.
Both teams had 11 hits. WNCC had two-hit games from Arntsen, Albaugh, and Soper. Arntsen had a triple, home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Albaugh and Soper each had a double in the win.
Luna 201 203 1 – 9 11 5
WNCC 012 110 5 – 10 11 2
WP – Gracie Holm.
2B – Alyssa Albaugh, Ellie Soper.
3B – Abbey Arntsen.
HR – Abbey Arntsen.