The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks softball team (32-22, 23-9) swept its National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 2 series against SAU Tech Saturday, winning both games by final scores of 4-0.
A big fifth inning helped NPC cross the finish line in the opener. Following a couple of scoreless innings, the Nighthawks lit up the scoreboard in the top of the third inning with an RBI single from freshman third baseman Bre Phillips (Conway).
The Nighthawks put the game out of reach with three runs across in the top of the fifth inning. Sophomore center fielder Tayler Southern (Winnsboro, Louisiana) scored on a fielding error, followed by a two-run double from freshman shortstop Jordan Householder (Mansfield, Texas) to give NPC a 4-0 advantage. National Park College allowed just two SAU Tech baserunners over the final two innings, securing the game one win.
Sophomore pitcher Bailee Cowell (Clarksville) allowed zero runs on five hits over seven innings, striking out seven Rockets to earn her 15th win of the season. At the plate, Southern went three-for-four with two runs scored in the win.
Phillips’ hot hitting led NPC to victory in game two. The Nighthawk third baseman opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning, smacking a two-run single to left field. Phillips came back to the batter’s box in the top of the sixth inning, delivering a two-run home run over the left field wall to tie NPC’s single-season home run record with her ninth long ball of the season. With a 4-0 lead behind her, freshman pitcher Avery Creech (Logansport, Louisiana) retired six straight batters to conclude NPC’s regular season with a series sweep.
Creech allowed zero runs on two hits with five strikeouts over seven innings in the win. Phillips led NPC in hitting, finishing two-for-three at the plate with four runs batted in and one run scored in the win.
With its regular season in the books, NPC advances to this week’s NJCAA Central Plains District Tournament at Regional Park in Ardmore, Oklahoma. The Nighthawks begin tournament play Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. against Arkansas State University-Newport. Each game of the tournament will be streamed live by TSBN Sports.
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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