GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Western Nebraska Community College baseball team had a strong showing on Sunday against Barton Community College but still fell twice to the Cougars from Kansas in Great Bend, Kansas.

                The first game was a battle as the Cougars led Barton 2-1 before falling 4-3. The second was close at the start, but the Barton Cougars scored late runs to capture the 11-1 win.

                The first contest was tight as WNCC tried a seventh-inning comeback that came up short. Barton took a 1-0 lead in the first only to watch the Cougars score two in the third to lead 2-1.

                The third saw Joseph Toubeaux started things with a single. Eli Hernandez then walked to put two on. Shintaro Inoue then singled in one run to tie the game and Hernandez later scored on an error for the 2-1 lead.

                Barton added one in the fifth and two in the sixth to go up 4-2. WNCC had one final at bat and they tried a comeback. Jacob Jackson started things with a single followed by Isaac Smith earning a walk. Smith scored on an error to make it 4-3 with just one out. WNCC had runners on the corners but couldn't get the tying or go-ahead run in.

                WNCC finished with five hits in the contest. Peterson had the only extra base hit with a double.

                Clayden Brandon went five strong innings in allowing six hits, two runs and walking two. Archer Blumenshein took the loss in his one inning of work, allowing two hits, two runs and striking out two.

                The second game was close at the start. Barton took a 1-0 lead in the first only to watch the Cougars tie the game at 1-1 with a run in the second. Bryce Peterson started things with a single followed by Hunter McCollum getting plunked by a pitch. Peterson came around to score on a fielder's choice hit to tie the game.

                That was all the runs WNCC would manage as Barton plated two in the second, three in the fourth for a 6-1 lead and went on to win 11-1 in eight innings.

                WNCC finished with just four hits in the contest, all singles. Barton had 12 hits with four extra base hits.

                WNCC utilized five pitchers in the contest with starter Eli Hernandez taking the loss after 3 2/3 innings of work in allowing four hits, six runs, and striking out three. Also seeing action on the mound included Valentin Blanc, Thibault Mercadier, Firmin Hassed, and Bryce Peterson.

                WNCC is slated to be back in action this weekend when they are scheduled to host Miles Community College on Saturday and Sunday. Those games are pending due to weather. Stayed tuned to the WNCC athletic webpage at www.wnccathletics.com and the WNCC athletic Facebook page for details on the this weekend's contests.

Game 1
WNCC                   002 000 1 – 3 5 1
Barton                  100 012 x – 4 8 2
LP – Archer Blumenshein.
2B – Bryce Peterson.

Game 2
WNCC                   010 000 00 – 1 4 2
Barton                  120 302 21 – 11 12 0
LP – Eli Hernandez.