The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team (3-7) dropped its four-game
road series against No. 10 LSU-Eunice over the weekend, falling, 5-3 and 6-3, Friday,
and losing, 3-2 and 11-3, on Saturday.
A back-and-forth battle got away from NPC in Friday’s opener, with the Bengals pulling
away late for the win. The Nighthawks grabbed the lead, 2-0, in the top of the first
inning on RBI doubles from sophomore shortstop Logan Nies (Rockwall, Texas) and sophomore
right fielder Aubree Goodnight (Benton). LSU-Eunice tied the game in the bottom of
the first inning and took its first lead with a run across in the bottom of the third
inning, 3-2. National Park College tied the game in the top of the fifth inning on
an RBI triple from sophomore left fielder Reagan White (Carrollton, Texas), but struggled
to keep the Bengals off the board late, falling in defeat.
Freshman hurler Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) went the distance in the loss, allowing
five runs on nine hits with one strikeout over six innings. With two triples in the
contest, White set NPC’s single-game triples record. White and freshman second baseman
Taylor Ashbrook (Fort Worth, Texas) led NPC at the plate, finishing with two hits
apiece in the loss.
The Nighthawks remained competitive in Friday’s finale, but were unable to match the
Bengals’ scoring output at the end. After allowing two runs in the bottom of the first
inning, National Park College tied the game in the top of the second inning on a two-run
double from sophomore third baseman Gracie Redmon (Benton). Trailing, 2-1, entering
the third inning, Redmon tied the game again with an RBI single to right field. Knotted
up, 3-3, in the fifth inning, LSU-Eunice broke the stalemate, plating two runs and
adding an insurance run in the sixth inning to take the lead for good.
Freshman pitcher Gracie Fowler (Texarkana) got the start for NPC, allowing six runs
on eight hits with one strikeout over five innings. Redmon led the Nighthawks at the
plate, finishing two-for-three with three RBI in the loss.
NPC threatened late in Sunday’s opener, but could not complete its comeback. Trailing,
1-0, entering the third inning, Redmon tied the game for the Nighthawks on an RBI
sacrifice groundout. LSU-Eunice answered with two runs in the bottom of the third
inning to regain the lead. In the top of the seventh inning, NPC pulled within one
run, 3-2, on an RBI sacrifice fly from Goodnight, but fell short in the end with the
potential tying run stranded on third base.
Sophomore pitcher Cameron Person (Bonham, Texas) started in the circle for NPC, giving
up three runs on eight hits with three strikeouts over six innings. Goodnight led
NPC with two hits in three at bats in the loss.
Despite taking a two-run lead early in the series finale, NPC fell behind to the Bengals
and could not keep up. Nies and Goodnight started the scoring in the opening inning
with an RBI double and an RBI single, respectively. After pouring on eight runs over
the first three innings, LSU-Eunice held an 8-2 advantage. In the top of the fifth
inning, Goodnight smacked NPC’s final run of the contest—an RBI single. With three
runs across in the bottom of the fifth inning, LSU-Eunice cruised to the series sweep
via run rule.
In the circle, freshman pitcher Kandyce Reed (Pangburn) surrendered five runs on five
hits over one and two-thirds innings. Fowler entered in relief, allowing six runs
on seven hits with two strikeouts. Goodnight drove the middle of the lineup, finishing
two-for-three with two RBI in the loss.
NPC travels to Connors State College Saturday, February 24 for a double header beginning
at 1 p.m.
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
