WNC Softball: Wildcats Advance to Regional Final Four
Submitted by editor on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 8:34pm
For the first time in program history, the Western Nevada College softball team is going to third day of the Region 18 Tournament. Fortunately, the Wildcats didn’t pack for a short stay in Twin Falls, Idaho.
The sixth-seeded Wildcats stunned Snow College 11-9 in an elimination game on Thursday afternoon after ousting Colorado Northwestern earlier in the day. Snow (25-29) had beaten WNC (14-45) n seven of eight meetings this season.
WNC will be among four teams left in the tournament when it plays either North Idaho or College of Southern Nevada at 1:30 p.m. Friday in its third consecutive elimination game. Salt Lake and CSI are the only unbeaten teams remaining in the double-elimination tournament.
Like they did against North Idaho, the Wildcats got an early jump on the Badgers, scoring four times in the first inning. This time, the Wildcats didn’t let the lead slip away. After the Badgers pulled to within 7-6 in the fourth inning, WNC scored four runs in the seventh inning for insurance.
Katelyn Bomar and Heather Septon each collected three hits for the winners. Bomar was 3 for 3 with three runs scored and a run knocked in. Septon, who was 3 of 4, also crossed home plate three times and drove in a run.
For the third straight postseason game, Kaitlyn Covione homered. She had two hits and drove in three runs to share the Wildcats’ RBI honors with Makenzie Hospodka.
WNC sophomore Carlee Beck sparkled on the hill, allowing four hits and no runs in 3 2/3 innings.
The Wildcats became the first WNC softball team to win two regional tournament games. After earning an emotional, 7-5, elimination victory against Colorado Northwestern on Thursday morning, the Wildcats had to turn around and play surging Snow in the evening.
Snow came into the game having won seven of its past 10 games, including a pair of victories over Salt Lake and one against Scenic West Athletic Conference champion College of Southern Idaho. However, the Badgers were routed 14-2 by fourth-ranked CSI on Thursday afternoon.
