HOBBS, N.M. – The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team competed with New Mexico Junior College on Saturday but just came up short in a doubleheader in Hobbs, New Mexico, to conclude the 4-game series.

                WNCC scored first in the opening game and then allowed a 9-spot in the third as they fell 11-6 to the Thunderbirds. Game two saw two good pitching performances Allard Helms and Ian GrafMank from the Cougars, but the Cougars couldn't get runners across home plate in falling 6-1.

                Game one started well for the Cougars, and they played decent for six of the seven innings. The first frame started excellent for WNCC as Vaughn Wilson and Catcher Gladysh earned free passes. With two outs, Wilson scored on a passed ball and then Gladysh scored on a Jase Satterfield single for the 2-0 lead.

                NMJC plated just one run to make it a 2-1 contest in favor of the Cougars. The lead stayed that way until the third when the Thunderbirds plated nine runs on eight hits including two home runs for a 10-2 lead.

                After that, the Cougars held NMJC's offense in check behind a strong pitching performance from Jack McCrea, who allowed just one run and four hits in his 3 1/3 innings pitched.

                WNCC made a comeback as they scored three runs in the fifth as Gladysch and Harrison Hart hammered back-to-back solo home runs. WNCC loaded the bases with one out and made it 10-5 when Garrison Burns scored a run on a fielder's choice hit.

                The Cougars added another run in the sixth when Wilson reached base on a dropped third strike and scored two batters later on a Hart single to make it 10-6. New Mexico added a single run in the bottom of the sixth for the final 11-6.

                WNCC had eight hits in the contest led by multi-hit games from Hart, Satterfield, and Ren Sato. Gladysh had a home run with two runs scored while Hart also blasted a home run with two RBIs.

                Game two was a good defensive game with runs coming at a minimum. New Mexico JC scored three in the second and those three would be all they would need. WNCC came back with a single run in the third as Ty Buetner walked and Dakota Alber had a bunt single. Daniel Chavez followed with a single to score one run, but that was all they could get.

                After that, the two defensives came up big not allowing a run until NMJC scored three in the eighth inning.

                Helms went five innings in allowing just four hits and three runs while striking out five while GrafMank finished off the game with three innings pitched in allowing four hits, three runs and striking out six.

                Offensively, Payton Denny led the way with three singles, while Chavez had two hits with a double.

                WNCC will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to McCook Community College for a doubleheader. The Cougars are then scheduled for their home opener this weekend when they host Miles Community College, weather pending.

Game 1
WNCC                200 031 0 – 6 8 1
NMJC                 109 001 – 11 15 3
LP – Payton Denny
2B – Brandon Waltemath.
HR – Catcher Gladysh, Harrison Hart.

Game 2
WNCC                001 000 000 – 1 6 1
NMJC                   030 000 03x – 6 8 0
LP – Allard Helms.
2B – Daniel Chavez, Payton Denny.