Nighthawks Softball Splits With Ninth-Ranked Bengals
The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks softball team (3-1) split its series against
ninth-ranked LSU Eunice Sunday at Majestic Park, dropping game one, 6-1, and defeating
the Bengals, 11-2, in a run-ruled game two.
In a pitcher’s duel in game one, LSU Eunice broke the scoreless stalemate in the fourth
inning with a two-run double. Held in check by great Bengals pitching, NPC struggled
to find offense throughout the battle, notching just five hits. NPC finally got on
the scoreboard with a seventh-inning RBI single from freshman second baseman Reagan
White (Carrollton, Texas), but could not complete the comeback, resulting in the team’s
first loss of the season.
Freshman pitcher Makenna Keeton (Jerusalem) allowed five runs on eight hits over six
innings, striking out three. Freshman outfielder Aubree Goodnight (Benton) went two-for-three
at the plate in the loss.
Despite allowing a Bengal run in the top of the first inning, NPC hit the ground running,
offensively, in game two, scoring 11 unanswered runs en route to the team’s third
victory of the season. Taking advantage of defensive miscues, the Nighthawks took
the lead in the bottom of the first inning, plating three runs. In a three-run second
inning, freshman catcher Gracie Redmon (Bryant) knocked a two-run home run to extend
the lead. Redmon, sophomore designated player Jadyn Hart (Magazine) and freshman third
baseman Katie Branch (Mart, TX) struck again in the third inning, combining to pad
the lead with five additional runs. LSU Eunice added its second run in the top of
the fifth inning, but could not generate enough offense to keep the game going, resulting
in a run-ruled victory for NPC.
Freshman pitcher Cameron Person (Bonham, Texas) earned the win, allowing just two
runs on five hits over five innings while striking out four in the complete game victory.
Hart, Branch and Redmon collected two hits apiece for NPC, including a two-run home
run from Redmon.
The Nighthawks travel to Youngsville, Louisiana to play in the Bullets Tournament
Friday and the Mardi Gras Invitational Saturday. NPC faces East Central at 4:30 p.m.
followed by Pearl River at 7 p.m. Friday. Saturday, NPC faces Itawamba at 11:30 a.m.
followed by Mississippi Gulf Coast at 2 p.m.
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
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
Snapchat: npnighthawks
