Western Nevada College
The sample size was only five innings, but Western Nevada College’s softball team proved in its season opener on Friday that it could go swing for swing with one of the top programs in the country.
Central Arizona, ranked 12th in the opening National Junior College Athletic Association poll, scored twice in the bottom of the fifth inning to squeak past the Wildcats, 15-14, in a rain-shortened opening game at the College of Southern Nevada Kickoff Classic in Henderson, Nev.
“These girls have so much fight in them. To put 14 runs on the board says a lot,” said WNC coach Leah Wentworth. “It was great offensive production against a team that we have struggled with year after year in the past.
“All in all, it was a great battle. Anything could have happened in the next two innings; it was tough that it was called then.”
The Wildcats of Carson City were scheduled to play two additional tournament games on Friday, but those games were canceled due to a steady rain that fell throughout the day.
After jumping to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, Central Arizona battled back to build a 13-6 edge through three innings. However, the Wildcats showed fortitude, scoring seven times in the fourth inning to tie the score. Freshman Makaylee Jaussi ignited the comeback with a leadoff solo homer. Later in the inning, freshman Briauna Carter launched a three-run homer and freshman Samantha Bell came off the bench to cap the comeback with a game-tying two-run double.
After holding Central Arizona scoreless in the bottom of the fourth inning, WNC took a 14-13 lead in the fifth when sophomore Katilyn Covione scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded.
But Central Arizona came back with two runs off freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Jimmy in its half of the fifth to pull out the win.
“The pitching mound was wet and slippery, and their pitcher was struggling with it in the top of the inning,” Wentworth said. “It was such a competitive game in tough weather conditions that it could have gone either way.”
Freshman Sadee Sorensen started in the circle for the Wildcats, tossing the first three innings, followed by Jimmy. The pitchers repeatedly needed the ball toweled off in the dugout so they could get the necessary grip on the ball to make a pitch.
“They did a great job, despite the conditions, keeping it within reach,” Wentworth said.
Freshman Melanie Mecham led the Wildcats’ offensive attack by going 3 for 3 with three runs scored. Covione contributed two doubles, while freshman Kelsie Callahan delivered two hits, including a two-run double, Bell, Carter, Jaussi and Kacie Freudenberger each provided a hit.
WNC will play Arizona Western, the No. 3 team in the first NJCAA poll, at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Weather permitting, the Wildcats are also scheduled to meet El Paso Community College of El Paso, Texas, at 8 a.m. and Yavapai College of Prescott, Ariz., at 10 a.m.
