The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks softball team (26-20, 17-7) dropped its National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 2 series against No. 2 Murray State College Thursday, falling, 9-0, in game one and taking a 15-0 defeat in the finale.
A big fourth inning led Murray State College past the Nighthawks in the opener. The Aggies’ pitching was difficult to hit, allowing just one NPC hit in the contest. Murray State College scored lone runs in the top of the second and third innings, respectively, before erupting for six runs in the fourth inning. The Aggies plated their final run in the top of the fifth inning, holding the Nighthawks at bay, offensively, to earn the win.
Sophomore pitcher Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) took the loss in the circle, allowing nine runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in four innings of work. Freshman reliever Maci Graves (Whitesboro, Texas) entered the game in relief, holding the Aggies to one run on two hits over one inning. Sophomore first baseman Jessica Suire (New Iberia, Louisiana) led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing one-for-one with one walk in the loss.
The Aggies’ bats remained hot in game two, taking a four-run lead in the first inning and never looking back. Murray State College added to its lead with four runs in the second inning, three runs in the third inning and four runs in the fourth inning to put the game out of reach. Mustering just two hits in the ballgame, NPC could not overcome the deficit in defeat.
Freshman hurler Avery Creech (Logansport, Louisiana) took the loss in the start for NPC, giving up four runs on three hits with one strikeout in one inning of work. Sophomore pitcher Gracie Fowler (Texarkana) and Graves contributed in relief, while freshman third baseman Bre Phillips (Conway) and freshman shortstop Jordan Householder (Mansfield, Texas) each finished one-for-two at the plate in the loss.
In a series moved due to weather, NPC plays host to Western Oklahoma State College Sunday, April 27, for an NJCAA Region 2 doubleheader at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia beginning at 12 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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