April 27, 2008

By Anthony Arroyo Journal-Advocate sports reporter

The Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen baseball team moved its program-best winning streak to 14 games before suffering its first loss since April 5.

NJC, who is ranked No. 16 in the nation coming into this week, first picked up two solid wins north of the state, traveling to Western Nebraska, winning 4-2 and 6-5. The team would then host Luna Community College and provide a blowout in five innings, 11-1, before taking the 4-3 setback in the second game.

Northeastern is now 35-11 on the season, marking the best win total under head coach Bryan Shepherd during the regular season, still with two games remaining.

"I was very pleased to see that we are still playing hard, even after having the conference wrapped up," Shepherd said. "We're playing with confidence and we're gearing up for the tough regional tournament."

Western Nebraska had a lot to play for, not looking very good with its fourth seed. Western was up 2-0 in the first game until Josh Warren played hero and tied the game with one swing of the bat.

The hits kept racking up, and the team walked away Game 1 with a two-run victory. James Quisenberry got the win by pitching through six innings and Colton Williams pitched a scoreless seventh to get the save.

Williams would once again get the save in Game 2, but allowed two runs after coming into the game with a 6-3 lead. Still, the sophomore buckled down and recorded the save, finishing the win for sophomore Darren Chavez.

"It's a nice luxury to have, knowing that we have a pitcher in Colton, and even in (Danny) Brock, that can come in and close an inning down," Shepherd said. "It's a relief to our starting pitchers, letting them know that they don't have to always pitch the whole game to get a win."

The Plainsmen winning streak hit 14 games when the team returned home Thursday to host Luna Community College, a team they beat 8-3 during the last big winning streak back in early March. Hits and runs came in bunches, as the team needed just five innings to put its opponent away in Game 1.

Luke Oeltjenbruns would allow just one run in the contest and Scott Dalrymple highlighted the day by going yard in the contest.

Game 2 wasn't as enjoyable for Northeastern, as coach Shepherd sent two guys to the mound who had a combined 2/3 innings pitched this season. The result: seven walks and two hit batsmen, resulting in the one run loss.

"We'll need some of the young guys to step up come regional time, and it was good to put them out there to see what they can do," Shepherd said. "Offensively, we had some chances, but give credit to who Luna sent out there, he did a good job."

Northeastern has two more games remaining before hosting the regional tournament May 2 and 3. The Plainsmen will face McCook Community College for a doubleheader at home on Saturday, April 26, with the first game beginning at 1 p.m.