The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk baseball team (19-19-1) dropped its NJCAA
Region 2 series against South Arkansas College over the weekend, taking a 3-2 win
and a 6-0 defeat in Saturday’s double header, respectively, and falling, 9-8, in the
series finale Sunday.
Sophomore pitcher Eli Hutcherson (Cabot) pitched a gem in game one.
NPC started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, with an RBI triple from
sophomore designated hitter Jimbo Batchelor (Senoia, Georgia). The Nighthawks added
to their lead in the bottom of the second inning with freshman first baseman Spencer
Sensley (Farmerville, Louisiana) driving in a run on a sacrifice fly. South Arkansas
College tied the game in the top of the third inning, but would not score again, as
Hutcherson shut down the Stars down the stretch. In the bottom of the fourth inning,
Sensley drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring the eventual winning run. In the top of
the seventh inning, Hutcherson notched his third strikeout of the game, passing former
Nighthawk Jaden Lewis to become NPC’s all-time strikeout leader.
Hutcherson allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out three. Sensley
led the Nighthawks at the plate, driving in two runs in the win.
NPC’s bats fell silent in game two as South Arkansas College evened the series. The
Stars broke the scoreless stalemate in the top of the fourth inning, scoring two runs
and adding a third run in the top of the fifth inning. With NPC unable to respond,
the Stars added three runs over the final three innings to achieve victory.
On the mound, sophomore hurler Carter Gaston (Homer, Louisiana) surrendered four runs
on nine hits over six and two-thirds innings, striking out five. Offensively, Batchelor
walked three times to lead NPC in the shutout loss.
A back-and-forth battle went the Stars’ way in Sunday’s finale. Trailing, 1-0, entering
the second inning, the Nighthawks got on the board with an RBI single from freshman
third baseman Wesley Campbell (Fountain Lake) and an RBI double from freshman second
baseman Que Walton (Atlanta, Georgia). Campbell extended NPC’s
lead in the third inning, driving in two on a line drive to center field.
South Arkansas College tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning
and took the lead with three runs in the seventh inning. NPC answered with a four-run
eighth inning to jump back in front. Sophomore shortstop David Favrot (Shreveport,
Louisiana) grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice, followed by a two-run single from
Sensley. The Nighthawks capped their scoring with an RBI sacrifice fly from sophomore
center fielder Hunter Guill (Bentonville). In the bottom of the ninth inning, however,
the Stars walked it off with a solo home run to take the series win.
Freshman pitcher Trace Loeding (St. Cloud, Florida) started the game for NPC, allowing
four runs on five hits over three and one-third innings, striking out two. Campbell
and freshman right fielder Josh Lumsden (Denton, Texas) finished with three hits apiece
in the loss.
NPC plays host to Arkansas State University-Mountain Home Thursday, April 18, at 4
p.m. at Majestic Park. The game 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
