The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks softball team (34-24, 23-9) recently completed its season in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Central Plains District Tournament, hosted by Murray State College. The Nighthawks defeated Arkansas State University-Newport (ASU-N), 7-1, in the tournament opener, followed by a 4-0 loss to No. 22 University of Arkansas Rich Mountain (UARM), a 9-1 victory over Arkansas State University-Three Rivers (ASU-TR) and a 9-1 defeat to Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC).
In Wednesday’s tournament opener, NPC spread its wings early, soaring to a four-run lead in the bottom of the second inning and never looking back. Freshman outfielder Rachel Lawyer (Rockwall, Texas) started the scoring with a two-run single to center field, followed by an RBI sacrifice groundout from sophomore first baseman Jessica Suire (New Iberia, Louisiana) and freshman second baseman Alexis Ortego (Eunice, Louisiana) later scoring on a fielding error. The Nighthawks extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, adding three additional runs. Freshman third baseman Bre Phillips (Conway) drove in two runs with a double to center field, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly from sophomore catcher Ryanne Lefford (Beebe) to give NPC a 7-0 advantage. The Aviators mustered one run in the top of the seventh inning, but could not turn the tide as National Park College punched its ticket to round two of the tournament.
Sophomore pitcher Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) allowed one run on eight hits with six
strikeouts in seven innings of work in the start for NPC. Sophomore center fielder
Tayler Southern (Winnsboro, Louisiana) led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing
three-for-four with one run scored in the win.
NPC fell behind early and could not keep up in Thursday’s battle against the Bucks. UARM plated three runs in the bottom of the first inning and one run in the bottom of the second inning, forcing the Nighthawks to play from behind for the majority of the contest. Baserunners came at a premium for NPC, mustering just three hits in the contest as the Nighthawks were sent to the loser’s bracket with a heartbreaking loss.
Sophomore hurler Gracie Fowler (Texarkana) allowed four runs on nine hits over six innings of work. Phillips, freshman shortstop Jordan Householder (Mansfield, Texas) and sophomore pinch hitter Karlee Marrall (Perryville) recorded one hit apiece for the Nighthawks in the loss.
In Friday’s loser’s bracket match-up against ASU-Three Rivers, NPC bounced back with a big win. The Nighthawks lit up the scoreboard in the top of the first inning, with freshman outfielder Sara Camplain (Cabot) scoring on a fielding error. After the Eagles evened the score in the bottom of the first inning, the game remained tied for two innings before NPC regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Freshman designated player Maci Graves (Whitesboro, Texas) singled on a line drive to center field, scoring Camplain and Suire. That moment sparked a scoring streak that would carry the Nighthawks to victory. Ortego delivered an RBI sacrifice groundout in the top of the fifth inning, followed by a three-run top of the sixth inning which featured Camplain scoring on a fielding error and Lawyer smacking a two-run single into left field. Leading, 7-1, heading into the top of the seventh inning, NPC punctuated its win with its final two runs of the ballgame: RBI singles from Graves and Householder.
Cowell earned her second win of the tournament in the start for NPC, allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in the complete game victory. In the batter’s box, Camplain finished three-for-three with two walks, while tying NPC’s single-game runs record with four runs scored. Graves recorded three hits in four at-bats, driving in three runs and scoring once in the win.
In NPC’s second game of the day Friday, the Nighthawks hung around early with WOSC, but ran out of gas in the end. Phillips scored on a wild pitch in the top of the second inning, allowing National Park College to overcome a one-run deficit early. The Pioneers regained the lead in the bottom of the third inning, plating three runs to take a 4-1 advantage. WOSC continued to pour on the runs over the next two innings, adding one run in the bottom of the fourth inning and capitalizing on a four-run bottom of the fifth inning to close the doors on NPC’s season.
Fowler started the game in the circle, allowing five runs on seven hits with one strikeout over three and two-thirds innings. At the plate, Camplain, Graves, Householder and Lawyer recorded one hit apiece in the loss.
In a historic year for NPC, the Nighthawks complete their season tied for the most single-season wins in program history (34), while crowning new program leaders in triples (Tayler Southern, 9), wins (Bailee Cowell, 29) and saves (Bailee Cowell, 3).
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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