Zephyrs stay on a roll

WESTCO Zephyrs' Brian Colburn swings during a game against Chadron on Saturday afernoon at Cleveland Field. (photo by Jeff Fielder/Star-Herald)

By Jeff Fielder, Star Herald Sports Editor

Published: Sunday, June 28, 2009 12:02 AM CDT

Michael Hoppes pitched seven solid innings Saturday, and the WESTCO Zephyrs held on to nip the Chadron Nationals 4-3 to complete a doubleheader sweep at Cleveland Field in Scottsbluff.

WESTCO, which blew past Chadron 11-3 in five innings in the first game, extended its winning streak to seven games. The Zephyrs (12-15) will try to maintain their superb play today when they host Torrington, Wyo., in another doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

``We were going through kind of a rough stretch, but we've been playing really well lately,'' Hoppes said. ``We're swinging the bats better, we're playing good defense, and we're coming up with a lot of big plays. It's nice to keep the winning streak going.''

Although Chadron couldn't keep pace with WESTCO in the first game, the second contest was a nail-biter the entire way. Both teams tallied one run in the first inning, and then Chadron went up 2-1 in the top of the third inning when Derek Ray's grounder scored Isaac Hughes.

WESTCO caught a big break in the fourth inning, when the Nationals walked in two runs to put the Zephyrs in front 3-2. WESTCO actually threatened to do more damage in the inning, loading the bases before Chadron finally got the final out on a pop up.

``It's always nice when a team is willing to give you some runs,'' Hoppes said. ``When that happens, you need to take advantage of it. I think we did that, for the most part. They did come back with a run, but fortunately we were able to pull it out.''

Hoppes, who kept Chadron's offense in check most of the time, said he felt a little more relieved when the Zephyrs' Dusty Huddleston and Brian Colburn crossed home plate in the fourth inning.

``It was nice to get those runs, but I knew I still had to keep my poise and focus,'' he said. ``We knew we had to keep playing tough.''

Chadron came close to tying the game and even possibly going back ahead in the fifth inning. But with runners on second and third bases, Hoppes got the last out via a strikeout.

That didn't dampen the Nationals' spirits, though, as they came back in the top of the sixth inning with a run to even the score. Nick Mitchell's hard drive down the third-base line scored Zach Sandstrom.

The game didn't remain tied for long, however, as WESTCO went back in front in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hoppes showcased his offensive skills when he belted a double to score Joe Huck for what ended up being the winning run.

``It feels good to be able to help out the team and get another win,'' Hoppes said. ``Everyone played hard.

``I thought we were a little more focused in the first game. In the second game we didn't come out quite as focused. But overall we did what we needed to do to get the win, and that's what's important.''

In the first game, Chadron got on the scoreboard first with a single run in the top of the first inning. WESTCO, though, responded with two runs in the bottom of the first inning.

The Zephyrs then really took flight in the next inning, erupting for six runs to surge ahead 8-1. The biggest hits in the inning came from Zac Rada, whose double brought home Colburn and Jackson Pahlke, and Tyler Patrick, whose double knocked in Rada, Nate Goodwin and Deeds.

Chadron never threatened after WESTCO's big second inning.

Despite dropping both games, Chadron assistant coach Joe McLain said he was proud of his team's effort, especially in the tight second game.

``The first one just kind of got away from us, but we played better in the second game,'' McLain said. ``Anytime you come play [WESTCO], it's going to be tough. They're an established program. They're very well coached. They played well. But I thought our guys played well, too. We made some little mistakes that cost us. But overall, I was happy with how we played.''

The losses dropped Chadron's season record to 9-7.