Wildcats softball shut out twice against Nevada, but improves

Appeal Staff Report

The Western Nevada College Wildcats softball team continued to get a crash-course in team play in a pair of scrimmages against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Hixon Park in Reno on Sunday, but in spite of being held scoreless both games, Dick Allen's first-year group is coming around.

"We made a better account of ourselves today," Allen said of the scrimmages, in which no official score was kept. "We played much better today. We played better defense and played better in the field."

Allen complimented the Pack's pitchers, Mallary Darby " a former Spanish Springs standout " and Katie Holverson.

"Like I told the girls, it was a learning experience," Allen said. "When you play a top-25 team like Nevada, it only makes you better. What doesn't kill you can't hurt you."

Amber Huish, Kelsie Farr and Brittany Naastad each had a hit for the Wildcats in the first scrimmage and WNC added one hit in the second.

"We're trying to turn 18 girls into a team," Allen said. "We've got a tough preseason. Shasta (Community College, against whom the Wildcats scrimmaged on Saturday) went to the Final Four last year. We play a lot of defending league champions, including UNR (which advanced to last year's NCAA Tournament). We're getting better. The more we play, the better we'll get."

WNC will play six games against three teams beginning Saturday. Over the weekend the Wildcats will play three two-game series against Feather River Community College, Ohlone (Calif.) College and Consumnes River (Calif.) College.

All six games will be played at Ron McNutt Field at Carson High School. Gametimes Saturday are 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. On Sunday gametimes will be 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.