Scottsbluff's Benson opts to sign with WNCC for baseball

Scottsbluff’s Ty Benson was one of the top running backs in Class B this past fall, leading the Bearcats to the state playoffs.

So, when it came to finding a college, where does he end up? Well, Benson chose that other ball for college, signing with Western Nebraska Community College to play baseball.

Benson said it was an easy choice for him as he was looking at football, too.

“They both were always in the equation, but baseball is a lot easier on my body and I have great opportunity to get better at baseball in my two years here and move on and continue paying,” he said. “One of the big reasons I chose to come here was because it is in my hometown and it is an easy transition into college. I know that Coach [Mike] Jones is a great coach and I have a lot to learn from him over the next two years.”

Benson rushed for 1,535 yards and 16 touchdowns for a Bearcat football team that went 10-2. It is that speed and athleticism that will make Benson that more of a deadly baseball player.

“Just look at the athletic talent he had on the football field and the baseball field,” WNCC coach Mike Jones said. “He is a complete athlete and there is so much to work with. With the college game where it gets faster, gets more involved and there is more strategy, you have to look for a complete player. There are so many opportunities for Ty. It is going to be a lot of fun to watch him grow over the two years; to continue to learn and continue to adjust, and using his athleticism to create plays.”

Benson is no slouch at baseball, either. The left-handed outfielder/pitcher has played three season for the WESTCO Express/Zephyr organization. Last season, Benson batted .347 with 41 hits, six doubles, 41 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases. Benson said that he will be manning the outfield when he heads to college and hopes to improve his talents even more.

“Defensively I think I am better than I am hitting,” he said. “I have a pretty good arm and I can track balls down. I need a lot of work on hitting.”