The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks baseball team (32-20-1, 15-9) split its National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 2 series against Southeast Arkansas College Saturday, taking a 9-7 victory in game one and falling, 12-11, in the finale.
After falling behind early in the opener, NPC surged to victory behind a six-run bottom of the first inning. Freshman right fielder Ian McCracken (Carrollton, Texas) lit up the scoreboard with a two-run line drive single to left field. Later in the inning, sophomore center fielder Dylan Garcia (Rockwall, Texas) smacked an RBI sacrifice groundout to give NPC a 3-0 advantage. The Nighthawks continued to score, with freshman third baseman Cam Landy (Perth, Australia) knocking in a run on a line drive single and sophomore second baseman Ryan McClure (Double Oak, Texas) driving in two runs on a base hit to left field.
Leading, 6-1, in the bottom of the third inning, the Nighthawks padded their lead on a McClure RBI triple to center field. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Landy added NPC’s eighth run of the ballgame, scoring on a wild pitch.
Southeast Arkansas College did not go down without a fight, however, rallying for two runs in the top of the sixth inning. In the bottom of the frame, NPC responded with its final run of the game—an RBI groundout from sophomore first baseman Amari Collins (Fayetteville, Georgia). With their backs against the wall in the top of the seventh inning, the Sharks made one final push, scoring four times to shrink the deficit to two runs, 9-7. Unphased, Nighthawk freshman reliever Jackson McDaniel (Conway) induced a flyout to right field, sealing the win for NPC.
Sophomore hurler Ian Holm (Lafayette, Louisiana) surrendered one run on two hits with eight strikeouts over four innings of work. McDaniel allowed six runs on five hits with three strikeouts over the final three innings of action to notch his fourth win of the season. McClure led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing three-for-five with three runs driven in and one run scored in the win.
The regular-season finale was a back-and-forth battle full of fireworks. After the Sharks grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, NPC answered with a solo home run from sophomore shortstop Que Walton (Atlanta, Georgia). The Nighthawks took the lead in the bottom of the third inning, with sophomore first baseman Josh Wacaser (Bentonville) doubling in Walton on a line drive to left field.
Southeast Arkansas College enjoyed a big fourth inning, scoring four times to take the lead. In the bottom of the frame, Walton tied the game, 5-5, with one swing, driving a three-run home run over the left field wall. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Garcia drove in McCracken on an infield single as NPC regained the lead, 6-5.
The Sharks jumped back in front in the top of the sixth inning, scoring twice. NPC responded with five runs of their own: Walton’s third long ball of the game—a three-run blast—and a two-run double from freshman left fielder Ty Ruby (Greenbrier) to put the Nighthawks back in front, 11-7.
A five-run top of the seventh inning from the Sharks proved to be the difference maker, however, putting the Sharks in front, 12-11. NPC threatened a comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning, loading the bases with only one out, but the Sharks’ defense prevailed, stranding the Nighthawks and taking NPC down, in order, in the ninth inning, resulting in the series split.
Freshman pitcher Brent Davis (Hot Springs) allowed seven runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts over six innings in the start for NPC. Freshman hurlers Dawson Carringer (Mansfield, Texas) and Brady Johnson (Winnfield, Louisiana) contributed in relief. At the plate, Walton tied NPC’s single-game home run record, finishing three-for-six with seven RBI and four runs scored in the loss.
With its regular season in the books, NPC advances to this week’s NJCAA Region 2 Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs. The Nighthawks begin tournament play Wednesday, May 7 at 10 a.m. against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid. Each game of the tournament 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