The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks softball team (20-16, 11-3) swept its National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 2 series against Western Oklahoma State College Wednesday, earning a 1-0 win in game one and taking a dominant 6-1 victory in the finale.
Sophomore pitcher Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) was hard to hit in the opener, allowing just two hits with four strikeouts in the complete game victory. NPC broke the scoreless stalemate in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI sacrifice groundout from sophomore catcher Ryanne Lefford (Beebe). After gaining the lead, Cowell went on to retire 11 consecutive batters before the Pioneers put the potential tying run on base in the top of the seventh inning. Four pitches later, Cowell induced a fly out to right field to seal the win for NPC.
With her 22nd career victory, Cowell ties former Nighthawk Jadyn Hart (Magazine) for the program record in wins. Sophomore center fielder Tayler Southern (Winnsboro, Louisiana) led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing two-for-three with two stolen bases and one run scored in the win.
In game two, NPC grabbed the lead early and never looked back. Freshman third baseman Bre Phillips (Conway) smacked an RBI double, followed by a two-run single from freshman shortstop Jordan Householder (Rockwall, Texas) as the Nighthawks took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
After the Pioneers plated their lone run in the bottom of the second inning, NPC responded with a two-run single from freshman right fielder Sara Camplain (Cabot) in the top of the fourth inning to extend the lead to 5-1. National Park College capped its scoring in the top of the fifth inning with an RBI double from sophomore first baseman Jessica Suire (New Iberia, Louisiana) as the Nighthawks soared to victory.
Sophomore pitcher Gracie Fowler (Texarkana) went the distance in the circle, allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts over seven innings. Southern led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing two-for-three with one run scored in the win.
NPC plays host to Carl Albert State College at Hot Springs World Class High School Saturday, April 12, for an NJCAA Region 2 doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. [np.edu/live]The games 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.
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