The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks softball team concluded its season with a strong showing in the NJCAA Region II Tournament over the weekend, with the team reaching the Championship round and finishing as Region II runners-up.
Against Carl Albert State College in Friday’s opening round, NPC took an early lead on a two-run home run from freshman Brooke Nalley (Alvarado, TX). In the third inning, Carl Albert State College cut the lead in half with a solo home run. Leading, 2-1, with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Vikings stole the win on a walk-off two-run double to hand NPC its first loss in the double-elimination tournament, 3-2.
Nalley led things off in the circle for NPC, allowing three runs on three hits in the complete game effort, striking out one. Nalley and freshmen Shelby Tindall (Morrilton), Madalynn Thompson (Bryant) and Baley Williams (Alma) finished with one hit apiece in the loss.
Behind early home runs, NPC bounced back in its second game of the tournament, with an explosive 10-0 start through three innings against Southern Arkansas University Tech. Sophomore Emily Cecil (Conway) knocked a solo blast in the first inning, while Nalley and Williams went yard in the second inning. Cecil added another homer in a seven-run third inning for the Nighthawks. The Lady Rockets plated four runs in the bottom of the third inning but could not complete the comeback as NPC cruised to a 13-4 victory to keep its season alive.
Nalley picked up the win, allowing four runs on six hits through five innings, striking out four. NPC racked up 11 hits on the day, with Cecil finishing 3-for-4 at the plate. Nalley and Williams also finished with multiple hits in the win.
With a trip to the Championship Round on the line, NPC exacted revenge against Carl Albert State College in its third game of the tournament. Trailing, 1-0, entering the second inning, NPC plated three runs behind homers from Williams and Nalley, while freshman Madeline Bruce (Conway) notched an RBI single in the frame. The Lady Vikings pulled within one run, 3-2, on a third-inning sacrifice fly. After plating an insurance run in the fifth inning, NPC iced the game with a four-run sixth inning en route to an 8-4 win, sending the Nighthawks to the Championship Round in the team’s first postseason appearance.
Sophomore Sarah Todd (Conway) picked up her 12th win of the season, allowing four runs on eight hits in the complete game victory, striking out two. NPC scattered 12 hits in the game with freshman Kaylee Partee (Vilonia) finishing 3-for-4 at the plate and Williams, Bruce and freshman Kya Schmidt (Greenwood) managing multiple hits in the win.
In the Championship Round, NPC took a 1-0 lead on a third-inning RBI bunt from Thompson. In the fifth and sixth innings, Murray State College answered with back-to-back eight-run innings to soar to the Region II title, ending NPC’s season with a 16-2 victory.
“I couldn’t be more proud of how this team finished,” NPC head coach Jessie Taylor said. “You have to show a little bit more grit and determination to win in the postseason and my girls stepped it up. I was proud to see that as their coach. The amount of growth I saw in just one season was incredible and extremely exciting. I can’t wait to see where this program is headed.”
“For a lot of my girls, that was their last experience as a softball player. I’m glad that each of them got to etch their names into Nighthawk history. I’m forever grateful for their hard work on and off the field to help build this program. I would also like to thank Eric Jaramillo. He came in as a volunteer assistant in March and has been invaluable. He went above and beyond to help this team get better throughout the season and didn’t even get paid to do it. He just loves the game. He was a huge part of our success this year and will be in future seasons as well.”
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks Softball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
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