The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk softball team (4-4) split its series with Connors State College at Majestic Park Saturday, with NPC earning a 6-2 victory in the opener and falling, 6-3, in the finale.
A four-run fourth inning propelled the Nighthawks to victory in game one. Rachel Lawyer (Rockwall, Texas) started the scoring for NPC in the bottom of the second inning, driving in a run on a fielder’s choice. After the Cowgirls tied the game in the top of the third inning, the Nighthawks took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lawyer doubled to third base, driving in sophomore catcher Ryanne Lefford (Beebe), followed by an RBI infield single from sophomore center fielder Tayler Southern (Winnsboro, Louisiana) to score freshman shortstop Jordan Householder (Mansfield, Texas). Southern later came in to score on a fielding error to cap the Nighthawks’ big inning. Connors State College scored once in the fifth inning to bring the game within three runs, 5-3, but a sixth inning RBI groundout from Lawyer solidified the victory for NPC.
Sophomore pitcher Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) picked up her second win of the season in the circle, allowing two runs on eight hits with three strikeouts over five innings. Sophomore hurler Gracie Fowler (Texarkana) allowed zero runs on one hit with one strikeout in two innings of relief, earning her first career save. At the plate, Lawyer led the Nighthawks from the ninth spot in the lineup, finishing one-for-three with three runs batted in, while Lefford and Householder added two hits apiece in the win.
Game two was a close battle, with the Cowgirls slipping past the Nighthawks to deliver NPC’s first home loss of the season. Scoreless after three innings, Connors State College broke the stalemate with one run across in the top of the fourth inning. NPC took its first lead in the bottom of the inning, as a near three-run home run from freshman catcher Ella Cross (Monroe, Louisiana) was slapped down at the wall, allowing two Nighthawk runs to score. In a back-and-forth battle, however, Connors State College jumped in front with three runs across in the top of the fifth inning. Freshman designated player Maci Graves (Whitesboro, Texas) drilled a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to help the Nighthawks pull within one run, 4-3, but a two-run seventh inning from the Cowgirls proved to be too much for NPC to overcome in defeat.
Freshman pitcher Avery Creech (Logansport, Louisiana) opened the game for NPC, allowing three runs on three hits with four strikeouts over four and one-third innings, with Graves and Fowler contributing in relief. Southern led NPC at the plate, finishing two-for-four in the loss.
NPC travels to Mississippi Delta Community College Saturday, February 15, 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.
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Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
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