The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team opened its season with two losses at Eastern Oklahoma State College Monday, dropping each game, 9-1, in five innings.
In game one, Nighthawk pitcher Quashia Dickens (Gurdon) struggled early, allowing seven earned runs in the first two innings. In the fourth inning, NPC got on the board for the first time in program history behind a solo home run from Jessye Rowland (Lake Hamilton), but could not overcome the deficit to drop the team’s historic program opener.
Rowland, Braelynne Bates (Mount Ida) and Cherokee Fields (Fountain Lake) finished 1-2 on the day. Dickens and Nighthawk pitcher Sarah Todd (Mayflower) combined for an nine runs allowed on 5 hits in the loss.
In the second game, Nighthawk Kaley Joseph (Lafayette County) knocked in Megan Beene (Carlisle) in the first inning, giving NPC a 1-0 advantage. Eastern Oklahoma State College knotted the game in the bottom of the first inning, and continued its offensive attack, plating two runs in the second, one in the third and five in the fourth inning to take the series win.
Joseph finished 2-3 with an RBI, while Fields batted .500 for the game. Beene, Bates and Emily Cecil (Conway) finished 1-3 on the day. Todd allowed nine runs on 10 hits in the loss.
Nighthawks softball will hold its home opener Friday, Feb. 7 against Tyler Junior College at Hot Springs World Class High School. First pitch for the double header is at 1 p.m. Nighthawks baseball plays host to Henderson State University Monday, Feb. 10 for a double header, beginning at 12 p.m.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks Baseball and Nighthawks Softball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
Snapchat: npnighthawks
