The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk baseball team (1-0-1) opened its season against Henderson State University’s junior varsity team (HSU) Monday, finishing in a 5-5 tie in the opener and defeating the Reddies, 11-5, in the nightcap.
Freshman designated hitter Wesley Campbell (Fountain Lake) started the scoring for NPC in game one, doubling in freshman third baseman Josh Lumsden (Denton, Texas) for the first run of the game. The Nighthawks broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the third inning with freshman first baseman Amari Collins (Peachtree City, Georgia) bringing in freshman shortstop Que Walton (Fairburn, Georgia) on a sacrifice fly, followed by an RBI single from sophomore catcher Jaiden Ryals (Cabot) to give National Park College a 3-1 advantage.
After HSU rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to regain the lead, 5-3, NPC tacked on two runs in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI double from Ryals and an RBI sacrifice fly from Walton to tie the game. The Nighthawks held the Reddies scoreless in the bottom of the frame, resulting in a 5-5 draw in seven innings.
Sophomore pitcher Ian Holm (Lafayette, Louisiana) got the start for NPC, allowing five runs on three hits over three and two-thirds innings, striking out two. Freshman hurler Arthur Perez (Houston, Texas) held the Reddies scoreless in relief, allowing two hits over three and one-third innings of work, striking out two. Ryals led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing three-for-three with two RBI. In his Nighthawk debut, Walton tied NPC’s single-game steals record in the draw, finishing with three swiped bags.
A five-run second inning was all NPC needed to take the lead for good in game two. Ryals started the scoring with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, followed by an RBI fielder’s choice from sophomore center fielder Evan Grissom (Mount Pleasant, Texas), a two-run triple from Lumsden and an RBI double from Campbell.
Leading, 5-1, after three innings, the Nighthawks pushed four runs across the plate in the top of the fourth inning. Freshman second baseman Josh Wacaser (Bentonville) drew a bases-loaded walk, sophomore right fielder Max Kluesner (Weston, Florida) grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice, sophomore left fielder Pedro Martinez (Cleburne, Texas) smacked an RBI single and Kluesner scored on an error to give NPC a 9-1 advantage.
NPC added two insurance runs in the top of the fifth inning, with Lumsden scoring on a triple by Walton and Collins doubling in Walton two batters later. HSU added two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but could not turn the tide as National Park College picked up its first victory of the season.
Sophomore pitcher Eli Hutcherson (Cabot) earned the win for NPC, allowing two runs on five hits over four innings, striking out four. Freshman pitchers Jackson Reinhardt (Stuttgart) and Trace Loeding (St. Cloud, Florida) each appeared in relief for the Nighthawks in the win. Lumsden led NPC at the plate, finishing three-for-five with two RBI and two runs scored in the win.
NPC travels to face No. 2 LSU-Eunice for a three-game series in Eunice, Lousiana this weekend. The Nighthawks and Bengals battle Friday, February 2 at 6 p.m., Saturday, February 3 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, February 4 at 1 p.m.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks baseball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
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Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
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