The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team (7-13) dropped its NJCAA Region
2 series against No. 5 Murray State College Sunday, dropping a 9-1 decision in game
one and falling, 8-3, in game two.
A back-and-forth ballgame got away from the Nighthawks in game one. After the Aggies
took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, NPC tied the game in the top of the third inning
with freshman second baseman Taylor Ashbrook (Fort Worth, Texas) scoring on a passed
ball. Murray State College’s bats erupted afterward, regaining the lead and scoring
eight runs over the next four innings to achieve victory.
Sophomore lefthander Cameron Person (Bonham, Texas) got the start for NPC, allowing
four runs on seven hits with one strikeout over three and one-third innings. Ashbrook,
sophomore third baseman Katie Branch (Waco, Texas), sophomore right fielder Aubree
Goodnight (Benton) and freshman center fielder Tayler Southern (Winnsboro, Louisiana)
finished with one hit apiece at the plate in the loss.
The Aggies’ hot hitting continued in game two, taking a 7-0 lead through five innings.
In the top of the sixth inning, freshman pinch hitter Karlee Marrall (Perryville)
lit up the scoreboard for NPC with a solo home run. Later in the inning, freshman
pitcher Gracie Fowler (Texarkana) added a two-run home run, but it was not enough
to turn the tide in defeat.
Fowler allowed four runs on five hits over two and two-thirds innings in the start
for NPC. Ashbrook set the
tone at the top of the lineup, leading the Nighthawks with three hits in four at
bats.
NPC plays host to Arkansas State University-Mountain Home in an NJCAA Region 2 double
header Thursday, March 14, beginning at 12 p.m. The games 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
