The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team (25-15, 9-5) swept its NJCAA Region II series against Southern Arkansas University Tech Thursday, defeating the Rockets, 13-0, in game one and 4-1 in the finale.
Freshman pitcher Makenna Keeton (Morrilton) was masterful in game one, allowing just one hit with five strikeouts in the five-inning run-ruled victory. NPC lit up the scoreboard with four runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back. Freshman first baseman Reagan Torres (Fort Worth, Texas) started the scoring with a two-run double, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly from freshman right fielder Aubree Goodnight (Benton) and an RBI single from sophomore left fielder Shelbee LeJeuene (Maurice, Louisiana).
The Nighthawks struck again with two runs apiece in the third and fourth innings, followed by a five-run surge in the fifth inning to secure game one. Torres led NPC at the plate, finishing four-for-four in the win. With two swiped bags, sophomore shortstop Emma Hayes (Munford, Alabama) tied former Nighthawk Kya Schmidt (Greenwood) for the most all-time stolen bases in Nighthawk history.
Game two went the distance, with NPC blasting two home runs in the final two innings to come from behind and take the series sweep. SAU Tech took the lead, 1-0, in the bottom of the second inning. NPC evened the score, 1-1, in the top of the sixth inning on a solo home run from freshman shortstop Logan Nies (Rockwall, Texas), tying NPC’s single-season record for homers with Nies’ ninth blast of the season. The Nighthawks took the lead for good in the seventh inning on a three-run blast by Keeton over the center field wall en route to NPC’s 25th victory of the season.
In the circle, sophomore pitcher Jadyn Hart (Magazine) surrendered one run on four hits over six and two-thirds innings, striking out seven, to earn the win. Sophomore reliever Kacey Solida (Texarkana) recorded the final out of the game to become NPC’s all-time saves leader, passing Taylor Snow. Hayes and freshman third baseman Katie Branch (Waco, Texas) led NPC at the plate, finishing with two hits apiece in the win.
NPC plays host to undefeated No. 1 Murray State College in an NJCAA Region II double header today beginning at 12 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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