Update: WNC softball games to start early

The Western Nevada College softball games scheduled for 1 p.m. have now been rescheduled for 11:30 a.m. due to the threat of snow.

(end update)

If you see fireworks coming from Centennial Park today, there is a good chance it is the Western Nevada softball team's offense setting them off.

After a slow start to its inaugural year the Wildcats exploded for 55 runs during a four-game sweep of Colorado Northwestern last week.

The Wildcats hope the spark is still in their bats when they host North Idaho College for a doubleheader today (starting at 1 p.m.).

It will be the first-ever home games for the program. Admission is free to the games.

Coach Scott Rasner said he hopes for a strong community turnout to help support the Wildcats and give them a home-field advantage.

"We'd love to see a lot of local support for the team."

Western Nevada (4-4) heated up in its sweep of Colorado Northwestern after being swept by No. 20 Salt Lake Community College last weekend in St. George, Utah.

"Once the girls settled down and relaxed they played like we thought they would," Rasner said.

North Idaho is 8-9 overall and 6-4 in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.

"Their pitching is very tough. We have been gearing up for their pitching all week (in practice)," Rasner said.

The Wildcats got a look at their opponents last weekend as all the SWAC teams competed in St. George.

"They play well, and they're very powerful. The SWAC is full of tough teams," he said.

The Wildcats have practiced inside some this week but Rasner said the field should be fine come gametime. With nine Northern Nevada players on the Wildcats, neither team should be impacted by today's freezing weather. The predicted temperature for gametime is 31 degrees with a chance of snow.

Last weekend against Colorado Northwestern the Wildcats were led in the circle by Alyson Herman who picked up all four of the Wildcats' wins. Rasner said Ambar Huish also pitched well.

During Saturday's doubleheader (19-2 and 15-3 wins), the Wildcats were led offensively by Devin Steelman who had a grand slam and 5 RBI in game one. Huish and Ashley Williams also added home runs in the first game. They both also had multiple hits in the second game. And Alex Arciniega had four hits in the doubleheader.

The WNC and North Idaho also will play a doubleheader Saturday with games starting at noon at Centennial Park.