The Western Nebraska Community College softball team got timely hitting and clutch pitching performances from Gracie Holm and Mia Migliaccio in claiming a doubleheader from Miles Community College on Saturday at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff.
The first game saw Holm strike out six in five innings of work while Abbey Arntsen went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and a home run to lead the Cougars to the 11-3 win.
The second game saw Migliaccio toss five strong innings while striking out seven while Tina Horton had a walk-off run-scoring triple to give the Cougars the 9-1 win.
WNCC moves to 9-13 on the season and will host Miles for another doubleheader Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.
Horton said the team played well with timely hitting and excellent pitching.
"I think we played really good," the sophomore from Australia said. "There was a lot of good pitching, probably the nest I've seen. Pitching is one of the main parts of the game and I think they've been improving a lot."
The first game saw WNCC score all the runs they needed in the first three innings as the pitching and defense was playing well. The Cougars scored twice in the first as Arntsen ripped a 2-run home run.
The Cougars plated five in the second and four in the third. The second saw WNCC load the bases on a walk and singles by Ellie Soper and Tina Horton. The first run came in on a sacrifice fly and then Arntsen singled in another run as WNCC led 7-2.
The third saw WNCC plate four runs as Arntsen scored one with a single followed by another on a sacrifice fly by Jasmine Castro. Adi Duke scores two on a double to make it 11-2.
WNCC had eight hits in the game, led by Arntsen with her three hits with four RBIs and three runs scored. Duke also had three RBIs with a double, while Jasmine Castro had two hits in the win.
The second game saw WNCC build an 8-0 lead after three innings. The Cougars scored twice in the first and second inning. The first inning saw Horton lead off with a solo home run. Arntsen then singled and scored on a Castron 2-out double for the 2-0 lead.
WNCC added another two runs in the second, all coming with two outs. Soper got a single and then Horton reached on an error. Tori Travers singled to centerfield scoring both runners.
The Cougars followed that with four in the third for the 8-0 lead. Holm led off with a single. With two outs, Migliaccio earned a 9-pitch walk. Hayley Blumenschein scored one with a single and then Soper singles in two more.
Neither team scored in the fourth and Miles needed one run in the fifth to keep the game going. They got it as they scored one with one out.
WNCC won the game in the fifth when Soper singled and Horton delivered a triple to scoring the game-ending run.
WNCC had 14 hits in game two. Horton and Soper each had three hits. Horton had a triple and home run with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Soper had three singles with two RBIs and three runs scored, including scoring the game-ending run.
Travers, Holm and Castro all had two hits in the contest. Travers had three RBIs, while Castro and Holm each had a double.
Game 1
Miles 002 01 – 3 5 2
WNCC 254 0x – 11 8 2
WP – Gracie Holm.
2B – Adi Duke.
HR – Abbey Arntsen.
Game 2
Miles 000 01 – 1 7 1
WNCC 224 01 – 9 14 0
WP – Mia Migliaccio.
2B – Jasmine Castro, Gracie Holm.
3B – Tina Horton.
HR – Tina Horton.