The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team (4-10) split its home double
header against Central Baptist College’s junior varsity team Tuesday, winning game
one, 5-1, and falling, 9-1, in the finale.
Great pitching paved the way for NPC in the opener. The Nighthawks grabbed the lead
in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single from freshman center fielder Tayler
Southern (Winnsboro, Louisiana) and padded the lead with a two-run single from sophomore
catcher Gracie Redmon (Benton) in the bottom of the third inning. After Central Baptist
College lit up the scoreboard with one run across in the fourth inning, NPC responded
with runs in the fifth and sixth innings to seal the win. Southern smacked a solo
home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, followed by an RBI single from freshman
pinch hitter Kandyce Reed (Pangburn) in the sixth inning.
Freshman hurler Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) earned the win for National Park College.
The right-handed pitcher gave up one run on five hits over six innings, striking out
three. Sophomore reliever Cameron Person (Bonham, Texas) fired a scoreless seventh
inning to collect her first save. Sophomore first baseman Katie Branch (Waco, Texas),
freshman designated player Karlee Marrall (Perryville), Southern and sophomore left
fielder Reagan White (Carrollton, Texas) led NPC at the plate, finishing with two
hits apiece in the win.
A seven-run second inning helped Central Baptist College exact its revenge in game
two. Following the big inning, NPC plated its lone run in the bottom of the second
inning on an RBI sacrifice fly from Branch. Held to just three total hits in the contest,
the Nighthawks could not muster enough offense to complete the comeback in the series
split.
Freshman pitcher Gracie Fowler (Texarkana) got the start for NPC, allowing seven runs
on six hits with one strikeout over one and one-third innings. Reed and freshman Chloe
Byte (Blanchard, Oklahoma) made relief appearances for the Nighthawks in the contest.
At the plate, Cowell, sophomore second baseman Logan Nies (Rockwall, Texas) and Redmon
collected one hit apiece in the loss.
NPC travels to North Arkansas College Saturday, March 2nd 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
