The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team (27-17, 11-7) swept its NJCAA
Region II series against Carl Albert State College (CASC) Thursday, defeating the
Vikings, 10-1, in game one and 8-2 in the finale.
Behind two three-run home runs, the Nighthawks surged late in the opener, scoring
seven runs in the fifth inning to earn the walk-off victory.
With a stolen base in the bottom of the first inning, Nighthawk sophomore center fielder
Emma Hayes (Munford, Alabama) became NPC’s all-time leader in stolen bases, passing
former Nighthawk Kya Schmidt. National Park College lit up the scoreboard in each
of the first three innings, with a first-inning RBI sacrifice fly from sophomore designated
player Jadyn Hart (Magazine), a second-inning RBI single from freshman third baseman
Katie Branch (Waco, Texas) and a third inning RBI double from freshman first baseman
Reagan Torres (Fort Worth, Texas).
Leading, 3-1, entering the bottom of the fifth inning, the Nighthawks exploded, offensively, with a three-run home run from Hart, followed by an RBI single from freshman right fielder Aubree Goodnight (Benton). Later in the inning, sophomore left fielder Shelbee LeJeune (Maurice, Louisiana) knocking a walk-off three-run home run to secure game one for the Nighthawks.
Sophomore pitcher Makenna Keeton (Morrilton) picked up her ninth win of the season, allowing one run on four hits over five innings, striking out four. Hayes, Torres and freshman second baseman Reagan White (Carrollton, Texas) led NPC at the plate, finishing with two hits apiece in the win.
In game two, NPC broke a 1-1 tie in the third inning and never looked back. The Nighthawks struck first in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI sacrifice fly from Goodnight. In the third inning, NPC took the lead for good, scoring on an RBI single from White and an RBI groundout from Hart. National Park College added three runs in the fourth inning, with LeJeune scoring on a passed ball, followed by a two-run double from Hart.
In the fifth inning, the Nighthawks added two more runs, with freshman catcher Gracie Redmon (Benton) scoring freshman shortstop Logan Nies (Rockwall, Texas) on a fielder’s choice and Branch smacking an RBI single to cap the scoring for NPC en route to the 8-2 victory.
Sophomore pitcher Kacey Solida (Texarkana) got the start for NPC, surrendering one run on five hits over two and two-thirds innings with one strikeout. Freshman reliever Cameron Person (Bonham, Texas) earned the win in relief, allowing one run on six hits with one strikeout over four and one-third innings. Nies led NPC at the plate, finishing two-for-three in the win.
NPC continues NJCAA Region II play at University of Arkansas Rich Mountain with a double header Saturday, April 22, beginning 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
