The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk baseball team (2-4-1) split its home opener
against No. 14 Dallas College-Richland Friday, picking up a 4-3 win in game one and
falling, 11-3, in the finale.
NPC took the lead early in the opener, with sophomore designated hitter Jimbo Batchelor
(Senoia, Georgia) bringing in a run on an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning
and sophomore center fielder Hunter Guill (Bentonville) smacking an RBI double in
the second inning to give the Nighthawks a 2-0 advantage.
The Thunderducks would not go away quietly, however, tying the game with two runs
in the fourth inning and taking a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning on a solo
home run. In the bottom of the fifth inning, NPC rallied to take the lead for good,
with Batchelor drawing a bases-loaded walk and sophomore left fielder Pedro Martinez
(Cleburne, Texas) driving in the go-ahead run on an RBI sacrifice fly. Freshman southpaw
Arthur Perez (Houston, Texas) was stellar in relief for the Nighthawks, closing out
the game with four strikeouts over three scoreless innings to secure the win for NPC.
Sophomore hurler Ian Holm (Lafayette, Louisiana) allowed three runs over four innings
with three strikeouts in the start for NPC. Perez earned the win in relief. Batchelor,
Guill, freshman shortstop Que Walton (Atlanta, Georgia) and freshman catcher Aiden
Smith (Nashville) led the Nighthawks at the plate with one hit apiece in the win.
An eight-run first inning proved to be too much for the Nighthawks to overcome in
game two. NPC chipped away at the deficit with a solo home run from Batchelor in the
second inning and an RBI double from freshman right fielder Max Kluesner (Weston,
Florida) in the third inning. The Thunderducks would not be denied, however, plating
insurance runs in the fourth, fifth and eighth innings to extend their lead. Trailing,
11-2, in the bottom of the eighth inning, freshman third baseman Wesley Campbell (Fountain
Lake) clobbered a solo home run over the left field wall, but it was not enough to
turn the tide in defeat.
Sophomore hurler Eli Hutcherson (Cabot) got the start for NPC, but exited early after
facing two batters. At the plate, Batchelor, Campbell, Kluesner and Smith contributed
one hit apiece for NPC in the loss.
NPC plays host to Arkansas State University-Three Rivers in a double header Tuesday,
February 13, beginning at 1 p.m. at Majestic Park in Hot Springs. The games will be
streamed live on the Nighthawk Network.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk Athletics online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
