The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team (2-0) picked up two road wins in its season opener Friday, defeating Meridian Community College, 16-2, and taking down Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, 5-2.
In the opener, NPC jumped out to a five run lead in the first inning and never looked back. In the top of the first inning, sophomore designated player Molly Poole (Monett, Missouri) smacked a bases-loaded RBI single, scoring sophomore left fielder Reagan White (Carrolton, Texas). Later, sophomore third baseman Gracie Redmon (Benton) drove in freshman second baseman Dallas Phelps (Corinth, Texas) on a hard ground ball to center field. National Park College plated three additional runs in the inning, with sophomore right fielder Aubree Goodnight (Benton) bringing in a run on a sacrifice fly, sophomore first baseman Katie Branch (Waco, Texas) hitting an RBI single to center field and freshman catcher Ryanne Lefford (Beebe) bringing in Redmon on a sacrifice fly.
NPC extended its lead with four runs in the second inning and one run in the third inning. In the top of the fourth inning, Poole belted a three-run home run as part of a five-run inning for the Nighthawks. National Park College added its final run in the top of the fifth inning and although Meridian Community College managed two runs in the bottom of the frame, the Eagles could not rally from behind. Tallying 23 total hits in the five-inning run-ruled contest, the win marked the most runs plated by NPC in a game since scoring 16 runs against North Arkansas College on April 6, 2023.
Freshman pitcher Gracie Fowler (Texarkana) picked up the win, allowing two runs on six hits over five innings with two strikeouts. Branch led NPC at the plate, finishing four-for-four with a double, two RBI and three runs scored.
In game two, the Nighthawks rallied from behind to remain undefeated. Trailing, 1-0, after three-and-one-half innings, NPC gained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning on a bases-loaded RBI single from Goodnight, a bases-loaded hit by pitch from freshman center fielder Tayler Southern (Winnsboro, Louisiana) and Branch scoring on an error. After the Bulldogs pulled within one run, 3-2, in the top of the fifth inning, National Park College added two insurance runs in the sixth inning, with Southern scoring on an error and freshman pinch runner Karlee Marrall (Perryville) scoring on a wild pitch. With the Bulldogs unable to answer, the Nighthawks crossed the finish line to their second win of the season.
Freshman hurler Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) earned the complete game win for the Nighthawks, allowing two runs on five hits with two strikeouts over seven innings. Southern led NPC in hitting, finishing one-for-two with two RBI in the win.
Tournament play continues in Youngsville, Louisiana, Saturday, February 3rd. NPC faces Hinds Community College at 9 a.m., followed by Baton Rouge Community College at 11:30 a.m. The Nighthawks return home Tuesday, February 6 for a double header against Paris Junior College, beginning at 2 p.m. [np.edu/live]The games will be streamed live on the Nighthawk Network.
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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