April 8, 2008

The Plainsmen continued to have success early in games, but also made it interesting in the late innings. NJC took 3 of 4 games from Western Nebraska at Plainsmen Park Saturday and Sunday, but finishing games is something that concerns Head Coach Bryan Shepherd. "We need to do a better job of closing games out. If we continue to go into the end of games with leads, we need to finish them out strong," says Coach Shepherd.

In game one, starting pitcher James Quisenberry, and the team, started well, building a 6-2 lead going into the 5th inning. The tides quickly turned as control became an issue, as "Quis" walked the bases loaded, forcing Coach Shepherd to call on Ashley Scott to come into a tough situation and get the job done. Scott walked in a run and you could feel the tide turning. WNCC got 4 runs in the 6th inning on 2 seperate two run home runs to tie the game. The game found itself tied in the top of 9, when Western's Carlo Garcia took advantage of a Colton Williams fastball, in the zone, driving it over the centerfield fence for a grandslam. The Plainsmen would battle back in the bottom of 9, with the tying run at the plate and two outs. Unfortunately, the rally would end as Sam Feiner would fly out to end the game. "We had our chances to close that game out with a big lead. We just need to find a way to get it done," said Shepherd.

Game two would see the Plainsmen jump out quickly with a 1st pitch homerun by Josh Warren and scored 3 runs in the first inning. The lead quickly would build as NJC got 1 run in the second, 4 runs in the third, including a three run home run by Feiner, 1 run in the fifth inning and 3 in the sixth, off a three run homerun by Josh Warren. The Plainsmen came out quickly and got the win as pitcher Mike McClaren came in throwing well, but was forced to leave after 2 innings with an "uneasy" feeling in his elbow. Luke Oeltjenbruns came in and pitched well for 4 innings as NJC came up with a 12-3 win."In game two we had much better focus and we held the late rally to 2 runs and we finished the game strong,"said Shepherd.

Game 3 seemed to be yet another strong start for NJC as they jumped out to a 9-2 lead going into the fifth, as NJC scored 3 runs in the second inning and 6 in the fourth, off a 3 run homerun by LaDarian Poole, his first of the seasn. As things seem to have happened all season, NJC allowed yet another late game rally as WNCC scored 6 runs in the fifth inning to cut the lead to 1 at 9-8. Western would tie the score in the seventh inning to force extra innings. Josh Warren would walk and Sean Fleharty would bunt to advance the runner. Sam Feiner then became the hero as he singled deep into left. The game would end on a close play at home, as Warren would slide in safe around the tag.

Game 4 turned into a pitcher's duel as Darren Chavez took the mound and pitched very well. WNCC took a 1-0 lead in the second inning and it would stay that way until the fifth, when NJC would tie the game on a Josh Warren single, scoring Andrew Belew. In the sixth inning, Sam Feiner came up big, as he blasted a homerun, to give NJC the lead. Danny Brock would quickly double and Scott Dalrymple would score Brock on a sacrifice fly. Brock would then come in to pitch, throwing 6 pitches in the seventh inning, to secure the 3-1 win.

Coach Shepherd was very pleased with the wins and is proud of his team. "Anytime you can win 3 of 4 against a good team such as Western Nebraska, you have to be proud. Our guys did some good things. We still have some things to work on, but we will try to work those things out and continue to get better."

NJC improves to 24-10 on the season, but must now focus on two games with McCook on Wednesday, at Plainsmen Park. Game times are 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 pm.