The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team (32-18, 16-8) swept its NJCAA Region II series against North Arkansas College at Hot Springs World Class High School Sunday, taking a 8-0 decision in game one and securing a 12-1 win in the finale.
Before the game, NPC honored its seven sophomores—Emma Hayes (Munford, Alabama), Kacey Solida (Texarkana), Jadyn Hart (Magazine), Shelbee LeJeune (Maurice, Louisiana), Makenna Keeton (Morrilton), Abigail Pittman (Jonesboro) and student assistant coach Desiree Soto (Forney, Texas)—for their outstanding contributions to Nighthawks softball.
The Nighthawks got off to a great start in the series opener, scoring two runs in the first inning on a line drive to left field from freshman designated hitter Reagan Torres (Fort Worth, Texas). NPC poured on four runs in the third inning, with Hart knocking a two-run home run, followed by an RBI single from freshman catcher Gracie Redmon (Benton) and an RBI double from freshman third baseman Katie Branch (Waco, Texas). In the fourth inning, National Park College added its final two runs of the game on an RBI sacrifice fly from Hart and an RBI sacrifice groundout from Pittman.
Solida held the Lady Pioneers scoreless in the circle, allowing just five hits while striking out four. Hayes led the Nighthawks in hitting, finishing three-for-three in the win.
National Park College coasted to an easy victory in game two. NPC jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the first inning, with Hart and freshman second baseman Reagan White (Carrollton, Texas) smacking RBI singles, followed by a sacrifice groundout by freshman center fielder Aubree Goodnight (Benton). The Nighthawks struck again in the second inning, with Hart hitting a two-run double followed by an RBI double from freshman designated hitter Reagan Torres (Fort Worth, Texas) to take a 6-0 lead.
Redmon added to NPC’s lead in the third inning, scoring on a fielder’s choice. After the Lady Pioneers got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, the Nighthawks capped the series sweep with five runs in the bottom of the inning, with Hart scoring on an error, Pittman hitting an RBI single, a sacrifice groundout from Branch, an RBI triple from LeJeune and an RBI double from Hayes.
Keeton picked up her 11 win of the season in the circle, allowing one run on seven hits over five innings with six strikeouts. LeJeune led NPC at the plate, finishing three-for-three in the win.
With the series win, NPC concludes its regular season and enters the NJCAA Region II tournament as the second seed. The Nighthawks play host to University of Arkansas-Rich Mountain Wednesday, May 3, from Majestic Park at 2 p.m. The NJCAA Region II Tournament will be streamed live, in its entirety, 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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