The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks baseball team (2-4) dropped its four-game series against No. 3 LSU Eunice over the weekend, dropping a 10-2 decision Friday, a 5-0 decision Saturday and falling, 10-0, and 15-1, respectively on Sunday.
In Friday’s series opener, the Nighthawks enjoyed a solid start from sophomore hurler Jaden Lewis (Tyler, Texas), who allowed just one run on two hits with four strikeouts through five innings. Despite holding a 2-0 advantage through five innings, NPC’s lead would not last. Over the final innings, LSU Eunice rallied for 10 unanswered runs to take the lead for good, delivering NPC’s first loss of the season. Sophomores Cameron Tyson (Cullen, Louisiana) and Evan Shoffit (Farmington) and freshmen Bryson Sellier (Tomball, Texas) and Jimbo Batchelor (Senoia, Georgia) finished with one hit apiece in the loss.
NPC struggled to figure out the Bengals’ pitchers Saturday, mustering just three total hits against the Bengals, while striking out 16 times. LSU Eunice took a 1-0 lead early and never looked back, resulting in back-to-back losses for the Nighthawks. Shoffit led NPC at the plate, finishing two-for-four in the loss.
Sunday’s double header started strong for NPC, with sophomore pitcher Zach Murphy (Sydney, Australia) holding the Bengals scoreless in the early innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four. LSU Eunice broke the stalemate in the bottom of the third inning, however, plating three runs en route to a 10-run rally throughout the remainder of the contest to seal game three of the series. Hinojosa led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing two-for-three in the loss.
In the series finale, LSU Eunice struck early, notching 15 runs over the first four innings. Freshman Hunter Guill (Bentonville) put the Nighthawks on the board in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly, scoring Hinojosa, but NPC could not overcome the deficit, resulting in the series sweep. Hinojosa, sophomore Travis Arellano (Houston, Texas) and freshmen Tom Butler (Sydney, Australia) and David Favrot (Shreveport, Louisiana) finished with one hit apiece in the loss.
The Nighthawks face Central Baptist College in a double header Tuesday, February 7 at Burns Park in North Little Rock beginning at noon.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks baseball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
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