The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks softball team (4-3) competed in the Mardi Gras Invitational over the weekend, dropping a 9-1 decision to East Central Community College and a 5-1 decision to Pearl River Community College Friday, while avenging an 11-5 loss to Itawamba Community College with a 3-1 victory over Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Saturday.
In Friday’s opener, NPC fell behind early and could not come back against East Central Community College, which took a 5-0 lead through three innings. The Nighthawks plated their lone run in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run from freshman shortstop Logan Nies (Rockwall, Texas), but could not overcome the deficit as the Warriors plated four additional runs in the fourth and fifth innings to seal the game. Sophomore center fielder Emma Hayes (Munford, Alabama) led the Nighthawks in hitting, finishing two-for-two at the plate, while Nies added a home run in the loss.
Against Pearl River Community College, NPC watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover. Trailing, 5-0, entering the bottom of the fifth inning, Nies put the Nighthawks on the board with a solo home run, but NPC could not rally back in defeat. Hayes led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing two-for-three in the loss.
In a back-and-forth battle against Itawamba Community College Saturday, NPC held a 5-4 lead through four and a half innings. In the bottom of the fifth inning, however, the Indians rallied for five runs to take the lead for good, delivering NPC’s third loss of the Invitational. Freshman outfielder Aubree Goodnight (Benton) led the way, offensively, for NPC, finishing two-for-four at the plate. Sophomore designated player Jadyn Hart (Magazine) launched a two-run home run in the loss.
In a pitcher’s duel against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, NPC shined, breaking the scoreless stalemate in the sixth inning behind a sacrifice fly from freshman catcher Gracie Redmon (Benton) and a two home run from freshman pitcher Makenna Keeton (Morrilton). The Bulldogs attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, loading the bases with no outs. Inside the circle, Keeton closed the door on the Nighthawks win, inducing a groundout, line out and fly out to claim NPC’s fourth win of the season.
Keeton earned the win for NPC, allowing one run on seven hits over seven innings while striking out two in the complete game victory. Freshman second baseman Reagan White (Carrollton, Texas) went two-for-four at the plate to lead NPC in hits.
The Nighthawks play host to Coahoma Community College in a double header at Majestic Park Friday beginning at 1 p.m. The games will be streamed live on the Nighthawk Network.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks softball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
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Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
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