WNCC baseball beats Modesto

The Western Nevada Community College baseball team scored 11 runs in the second inning on its way to an impressive 14-8 win over Modesto on Thursday at John L. Harvey Field, WNCC's on-campus ballpark.

In Modesto, WNCC beat a team that was coming off a game in which it handily beat the University of Pacific on Tuesday. Spanish Springs' Brad Carlsen helped lead the way, belting two home runs.

WNCC exploded for 11 runs in the second to take an 11-3 lead. Thomas Miller and Trent Smith doubled during the rally. Humberto Rodarte would have had a bases clearing triple if his shot to left centerfield didn't bounce over the fence. Rodarte settled for a two-run double that made it 3-2.

Brett Mosher followed with a two-run double and Pat Grennan hit an RBI double that made it 5-3. Carlsen followed with a two-run shot to right that made it 7-3. Taylor MIeras and Miller then singled and Smith, Tyson Jaquez, Jerahmie Libke and Mosher all hit RBI singles that made it 11-3.

Carlson later hit another homer to right, a mammoth 400-plus feet shot. Grennan had three hits and Rodarte had two doubles. Arnold Toombs was the winning pitcher.

WNCC did receive a major setback when it was discovered that catcher Aaron Greer, who was drafted in this past summer's Major League draft, had blood clots in his lungs. WNCC coach D.J. Whittemore said there's still a chance that Greer could play as early as the 2006 regular season.

Whittemore said Greer's condition could keep him from playing for six months to a year or the rest of his life.

Carson High graduate Aaron Henry, WNCC's starting center fielder, sat out Thursday with a foot injury, but Whittemore said Henry was available.

Whittemore also noted that fans attending the game were happy to see one of three concrete sections in place, giving them a place to sit. Stadium seats provided by the Greater Nevada Credit Union will be placed on the concrete sections. WNCC will host Modesto again at 1 p.m. today.