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Cowell Throws Perfect Game On Opening Day

January 28, 2025
Bailee Cowell ready to pitch the softball.

National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks sophomore pitcher Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) threw the program’s first perfect game Monday as NPC swept Central Baptist College on Opening Day, 5-0, in the opener and a walk-off 10-9 victory in game two.

Cowell dazzled in the opener, retiring 21 straight batters while racking up seven strikeouts to achieve history. The sophomore’s big day was nearly broken up in the top of the fourth inning, when a Mustangs hit was wiped away due to the batter leaving the batter’s box.

Offensively, the Nighthawks (2-0) lit up the scoreboard with three runs scored in the fifth inning. Sophomore first baseman Jessica Suire (New Iberia, Louisiana) scored on an error, while sophomore center fielder Tayler Southern (Winnsboro, Louisiana) was driven in on a hard ground ball from sophomore left fielder Karlee Marrall (Perryville) and freshman third baseman Bre Phillips (Conway) came in to score on a bases-loaded walk.

Suire and freshman second baseman Alexis Ortego (Eunice, Louisiana) added additional runs in the sixth inning, padding NPC’s lead to 5-0. In the top of the seventh inning, Cowell recorded the final out by fielding a comebacker to the pitcher and firing to Suire at first base to secure victory.

Cowell earned her 13th career victory for NPC. Suire led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing two-for-three in the win.

Game two came down to the wire, with NPC overcoming a seven-run deficit through three and one-half innings to secure the series sweep. A five-run bottom of the fourth inning helped NPC claw back into contention. Sophomore catcher Ryanne Lefford (Beebe) drove in Phillips on a single to left field, followed by a two-run single from Suire. Southern doubled in two more runs, pulling the Nighthawks within two runs, 7-5.

After the Mustangs added an additional run in the top of the fifth inning, NPC responded with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Freshman shortstop Jordan Householder (Mansfield, Texas) scored on a passed ball, while freshman right fielder Paige Collier (Fouke) scored on an error. Householder tied the game, 8-8, in the bottom of the seventh inning, driving in Phillips on a single to center field.

In the seventh inning, Central Baptist College scored the go-ahead run on a ground ball to right field. With NPC’s back against the wall in the bottom of the inning, freshman reliever Maci Graves (Whitesboro, Texas) delivered the game-winning two-run hit to center field, driving in Phillips and Collier to remain undefeated.

Graves allowed one run on four hits with one strikeout to earn the win for NPC. Householder led the Nighthawks in hitting, finishing a perfect three-for-three at the plate.

NPC will compete in the Mardi Gras Invitational Friday, January 31 in Youngsville, Louisiana. The Nighthawks face Bishop State Community College at 3:30 p.m. and take on Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at 6 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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