Western Nevada College's pitchers found out what it was like to pitch against top level professional and college hitters in a 12-8 loss to the Reno Astros on Friday at Moana Stadium.
Jordan Lewis started on the mound for WNC and pitched well, allowing one run over two innings while striking out four. Kramer Champlin actually didn't throw that badly, but was roughed up for a three-run home run and a two-run homer in an inning-plus.
Jordan Blanchard came on and was outstanding, pitching two scoreless, hitless innings while striking out one. Jeff Barto pitched in the sixth, striking out the side, but he ended up allowing three unearned runs after the Wildcats made two errors.
Wil Schumacher allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning before giving way to Kyle DiMartino, who retired all four batters he faced. DiMartino also struck out the side in the eighth.
Down 12-2, WNC scored five runs in the eighth inning and once in the ninth. In the eight, Trevor Goff and Andrew Garcia singled, Jay Skilton doubled and Brett Wellman hit a two-run single during the five-run rally.
Brian Barnett doubled, Lance Ray had an RBI, Mike Long went 2-for-2 with a triple and two runs, Daniel Zylstra was 2-for-3 with an RBI, C.J. Maldonado went 1-for-2, Skilton was 2-for-2 with two runs and Garcia went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run for the Wildcats.
The two teams will play in a doubleheader today, beginning at 2 p.m. at Moana Stadium. WNC's top two returner starters from last season, Kyle Starratt and Josh Moody will both pitch, although neither will pitch more than two innings as WNC's pitchers are on an inning-limit. Starratt will start game one.