Nighthawks Fall In Round Robin Tournament

The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team (14-10) dropped two games in the inaugural Nighthawk Round Robin tournament Friday, dropping a 8-7 decision to Navarro College in extra innings and losing to Allen County Community College, 5-2.

NPC Nighthawk Emma Hayes slides into home.After falling behind, 2-0, to Navarro College in the first inning, NPC responded with five runs across in the second inning, sparking a back-and-forth battle that took the game into extra innings. Sophomore pitcher Jadyn Hart (Magazine) started the scoring in the second inning with an RBI single, followed by an RBI single from freshman center fielder Emma Hayes (Munford, Alabama) and a two-run single from freshman second baseman Reagan White (Carrolton, Texas). Freshman first baseman Reagan Torres (Fort Worth, Texas) capped the scoring with an RBI groundout, scoring Hayes.

7-6, entering the bottom of the seventh inning, NPC tied the game on an RBI groundout from freshman catcher Gracie Redmon (Benton), scoring Hayes to send the game into extra innings. After Navarro College regained the lead in the top of the eighth inning, NPC loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning with one out, but couldn’t muster the offense to turn the tide.

Hart took the loss in the circle, allowing six runs on nine hits with two strikeouts over four and two-thirds innings. Freshman pitcher Cameron Person (Bonham, Texas) entered in relief, allowing one run on one hit with four strikeouts over three and one-third innings. Hayes led NPC in hitting, finishing three-for-five at the plate.

Despite slapping eight hits, NPC struggled to get runs across in Friday’s finale against Allen County Community College. Trailing, 3-0, entering the fifth inning, NPC got on the board on a solo home run from sophomore left fielder Shelbee Lejeune (Maurice, Louisiana), followed by an RBI single from freshman pitcher Makenna Keeton (Morrilton) to cut the deficit to one run. The Red Devils padded their lead with two runs in the top of the sixth inning, however, with NPC unable to rally back.

Person got the start for NPC, allowing three runs on six hits with three strikeouts over four and one-third innings. Keeton entered in relief, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts over two and two-thirds innings. Redmon led NPC at the plate, finishing two-for-four.

NPC plays host to Labette Community College in a double header Friday, March 10 beginning at 2 p.m. at Majestic Park. The games will be streamed live on the Nighthawk Network.

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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