WNC baseball gets split against Sierra

Nevada Appeal Staff Report

ROCKLIN, Calif. " After enduring rainouts the previous two days, Western Nevada College's baseball team finally got an opportunity to get on the field.

The Wildcats split Saturday's doubleheader with defending state champ Sierra College, losing 4-1 in the opener and taking the nightcap, 13-3.

The split gives the Wildcats a 3-6 overall record heading into next weekend's games at Reedley College (Friday and Saturday) and Modesto Junior College (Sunday).

"We showed signs of life," WNC skipper D.J. Whittemore said. "They worked hard all week to get ready and it paid dividends.

"We cut down on our strikeouts (11 in two games compared to 34 in three games last weekend) just a bit."

In the nightcap, Western Nevada collected 14 hits en route to an easy win.

Western Nevada led 2-1 entering the fifth when it sent 15 hitters to the plate and exploded for eight runs to boost its lead to 10-1.

Corey Raymond had a run-scoring double, Dan Zylstra added a run-scoring double, Andrew Garcia contributed a run-scoring single and Marshall Kennebrew tripled in a run. Sierra pitchers contributed to the big inning by walking six hitters.

Brian Barnett went 3-for-5 with a homer and two singles, while Garcia, Lance Ray and Jay Skilton all had two hits. Travis Feiner and Kennebrew added a hit each.

Javy Perez picked up the win, which was predetermined. Perez allowed just three hits in 3.1 innings. Kyle Starratt worked 3.2 innings and allowed one run, Rusty Devitt allowed two runs in one inning while Kramer Champion finished up with a scoreless inning.

In the opener, WNC starter Jordan Lewis pitched five strong innings, but it wasn't enough as his teammates managed just a run and five hits.

"Jordan had a really good start," Whittemore said. "He had command of his pitches and walked only one batter. He challenged the hitters."

WNC's only run came in the ninth when Vylstra singled in Raymond, who had reached on a single. Skilton led the Wildcats with two hits and Ray added a single.