STERLING, Colo. – The Western Nebraska Community College softball team dropped a Region IX conference doubleheader to Northeastern Junior College Saturday afternoon.

                The Cougars, who haven't played a game since March 5, were one-hit by NJC's Stacy Butt in falling to the Plainswomen 19-0.

                The second game saw a little more offense and the Cougars were striking distance until NJC scored eight in the fourth for the 14-4, five-inning win.

                WNCC started game two as Bailey Blanchard led off with a solo home run for the 1-0 lead. NJC answered with three runs. The Cougars came right back with a single run in the second as Mackenzie Bakel singles home Bella Coffman to make it 3-2.

                NJC added another three runs in the second to go up 6-2. WNCC fought back with two in the fourth. Emma Schweitzer and Bakel each singled. Chayden Chong then delivered a 2-out single to score Schweitzer and Bakel to make it 6-4.

                WNCC couldn't get any closer as NJC added eight runs in the bottom of the fourth for the 14-4 win.

                WNCC finished game two with eight hits. Bakel led the way with two hits with two singles and a run scored and an RBI. Blanchard had the only extra base hit with a home run. Chayden Chong finished with two hits.

                The first game saw NJC score 19 runs on 14 hits. NJC's Butt had a no-hitter going until Bakel singled with two outs in the fifth inning to break up the 5-inning no-hit attempt.

                WNCC and NJC will be back in action Sunday at Sterling, Colorado, for another conference doubleheader.

Game 1
WNCC                   000 00 – 0 1 1
NJC                        502 (12)x – 19 14 0
LP – Lexi Butterfield. 

Game 2
WNCC                   110 20 – 4 8 3
NJC                        330 8x – 14 16 1
LP – Ashley Quinn.
HR – Bailey Blanchard.