The Western Nebraska Community College softball team played tough defense against No. 25 McCook Community College Sunday afternoon at Volunteer Field. Despite the two seven-inning games, McCook had just a little bit more offense in claiming the doubleheader sweep.
The first game was a pitcher's duel early as McCook's Paige Warren and WNCC's Abbey Arntsen locked into a good battle with a 3-0 McCook lead for most of the game until late when the Indians won 10-0.
The second contest was also a pitcher's duel as WNCC's Gracie Holm and McCook's Hannah Schneider were dueling it out. In the end, McCook came away with the 7-1 win.
The Cougars fall to 10-18 overall and 3-9 in conference play. McCook moves to 30-4 overall and 15-1 in the conference.
WNCC will be on the road for the next three weekends for conference games. First up is a trip to Beatrice to face Southeast Community College on Friday and Saturday.
The second game was a well-played contest. McCook grabbed an early 4-0 lead after scoring one in the first on a solo home run and then three times in the second.
McCook later added two in the fourth to lead 6-0. The Cougars finally got a run across in the fifth inning when Ellie Soper reaches on an errant throw, which Soper took second. Soper scored one batter later on an Adi Duke double.
Neither team scored in the sixth. McCook added one in the seventh and WNCC had something going in the seventh, but stranded the runner at third.
The Cougars managed just three hits in the contest as Duke had a double and an RBI. The other hits were singles by Soper and Jasmine Castro.
Holm gave up four earned runs while striking out three while Schneider struck out five and allowed three hits.
WNCC did get hits, but the McCook defense played strong defense in all four games of the series. McCook had just two errors in the four games Friday and Saturday and the Indians defense ranks up there as one of the top defenses in the nation. The two errors McCook committed came in the second game on Sunday.
The first game was also competitive as McCook held a slim 4-0 lead through six innings with the two pitchers going head-to-head. McCook's Warren picked up her 12th win of the year as she struck out five and walked six batters in allowing just two hits. WNCC's Arntsen also pitched well, scattering 12 hits and striking out two while allowing five unearned runs.
Neither team scored through the first three innings. However, the Cougars missed a golden scoring chance in the third when Tina Horton doubled and the Cougars loaded the bases with just one out. The Cougars couldn't get a run in.
McCook answered with three in the top of the fourth scoring all three runs with two outs. The Indians added a single run in the fifth for a 4-0 lead and then had six in the seventh, all coming with two outs.
Tuna Horton had both hits for the Cougars in the contest.
Game 1
McCook 000 301 6 – 10 12 1
WNCC 000 000 0 – 0 2 2
LP – Abbey Arntsen.
2B – Tina Horton.
Game 2
McCook 130 200 1 – 7 9 2
WNCC 000 010 0 – 1 3 2
LP – Gracie Holm.
2B – Adi Duke.