The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks softball team (27-21, 18-8) split its National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 2 series against Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC) Sunday at Henderson State University, falling, 13-9, in the opener and soaring to an 8-3 victory in game two.
A four-run eighth inning propelled the Pioneers past the Nighthawks in a back-and-forth game one. After WOSC opened the game with two runs in the top of the first inning, Nighthawk freshman third baseman Bre Phillips (Conway) responded with a two-run double to tie the game, 2-2, in the bottom of the frame.
The Pioneers regained the lead in the second inning, plating three runs. Freshman designated player Maci Graves (Whitesboro, Texas) smacked an RBI single to left field, shrinking the deficit to two runs, 5-3.
WOSC’s bats remained hot in the third inning, pushing across two more runs. Trailing, 7-3, entering the bottom of the third inning, the Nighthawks surged for six runs to take the lead. Freshman shortstop Jordan Householder (Mansfield, Texas) started the rally for NPC, scoring on a fielding error. Later in the inning, freshman right fielder Sara Camplain (Cabot) drove in two runs on an RBI single, followed by Graves’ second RBI single of the day. Phillips drove in a run on a fielder’s choice and freshman left fielder Rachel Lawyer (Rockwall, Texas) capped the scoring with an RBI single to left field, giving NPC a 9-7 advantage.
The Pioneers would not go away quietly, however, tying the game, 9-9, with two runs scored in the top of the fifth inning. NPC managed three total baserunners over the final four innings, but was unable to light up the scoreboard.
After WOSC forced extra innings, the Pioneers erupted for four runs in the top of the eighth inning. Unable to respond, NPC dropped a heartbreaker in the series opener.
Sophomore pitcher Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) allowed seven runs on nine hits over three innings. Freshman hurler Avery Creech (Logansport, Louisiana) pitched five innings in relief, allowing six runs on four hits with one strikeout in the loss. Graves led the Nighthawks at the plate, finishing three-for-five while driving in two runs in defeat.
Lawyer’s hot bat led the charge for NPC in game two as the Nighthawks took the lead early and never looked back. A three-run bottom of the first inning set the tone, with Lawyer driving in two runs with an RBI single and later scoring on a fielding error.
The Nighthawks added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning, with Householder smacking an RBI single. WOSC scored twice in the top of the fourth inning, prompting an RBI single from Graves in the bottom of the inning to pad the lead, 5-2. The Pioneers plated an additional run in the top of the fifth inning, but struggled to match NPC on the scoreboard.
With three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Nighthawks put the game out of reach. Graves drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to right field, followed by a two-run double from Lawyer to secure NPC’s victory.
Sophomore pitcher Gracie Fowler (Texarkana) threw five innings in the start for NPC, allowing three runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Cowell entered in relief, allowing just two hits over the final two innings with one strikeout. Lawyer led the Nighthawks in the batter’s box, finishing four-for-four with three runs batted in and one run scored.
NPC travels to Carl Albert State College Tuesday, April 29, for an NJCAA Region 2 doubleheader beginning at 1 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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