Western Nevada College Wildcats Softball hosted Snow College from Ephraim, Utah Friday at Edmonds Sports Complex in Carson City. WNC entered the series just one game behind Snow in the Scenic West Athletic Conference, and remained that way, splitting Friday’s doubleheader.
In game one, the Wildcats topped Snow 3-1, with Meghan Hospodka hitting a three run homer to win it for WNC. In the second game, Snow College rallied to win 12-4, despite two home runs by Wildcat Hali Bennion. Carlee Beck pitched both games for WNC.
In the first game, it was a tight fight until Meghan Hospodka's three run-homer in the sixth inning put WNC on the board. Snow answered with one run in the top of the seventh but couldn’t steal the win from Western.
Mackenzie Hospodka, Cara McCarthy and Madison Gonzales each had singles for the Wildcats.
WNC coach Leah Wentworth said, “I knew we would break it open eventually; We kept putting the ball in play. Meghan made her home run look effortless. She timed the pitch well, and it was a bonus for her to make it happen when we had runners on the bases.”
Coach Leah Wentworth said the team has been working on tightening the defense, and she was impressed with their performance in the first game.
“Our solid play on the field helped keep Carlee confident in the circle.”
In game two however, WNC’s momentum faltered, opening the door for Snow College. They struck early, scoring four runs in the first inning and one in the second.
The Wildcats answered when Lindsay Ashbaugh and Katilyn Covione singled. Ashbaugh scored on an overthrow at third, and Hali Bennion hit a two-run homer, bringing in Covione. After two innings it was 5-3, in favor of Snow College. Snow put up a solo homerun in the fourth and six runs in the fifth to make it 12-3.
Bennion knocked a second home run in the sixth inning, but it wasn’t enough. WNC was unable to recover, final score, 12-4, Snow College.
Games continue Saturday, noon and 2 p.m., at Edmonds Sports Complex, Carson City.
