Story by Heather Johnson Area Public Information Specialist
The North Platte Community College Knights Softball Team had trouble keeping up with Northeastern Junior College in a doubleheader Thursday in Sterling, Colo. The Knights fell 7-1 in the first game.
Nevaeh Ramirez, of Thornton, Colo., started things off in the pitcher’s circle for the Knights. The righthander went six innings, allowing seven runs on six hits and striking out 12.
Ashlyn Wheeling, of Thornton, Colo., went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the Knights in hits.
The Knights watched the second game slip away early, unable to recover in a 10-1 loss. They struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing NJC, giving up 10 runs.
Kyleigh Sullivan, of Fort Worth, Texas, toed the rubber for the Knights. The righthander allowed 10 hits and 10 runs over four innings, striking out six.
The Knights hit one home run on the day. Kirsten Greenwalt, of Aurora, Colo., went yard in the fifth inning.
Greenwalt, Wheeling and Jordan Young, of Johnstown, Colo., each managed one hit to lead the Knights.
“Game one, Nevaeh pitched a great game - we just got caught on our heels in the fourth and lost the energy,” said NPCC Knights Softball head coach Janelle Higgins. “Game two, we got down early and couldn’t string hits together.”
The Knights are now 4-18 on the season.
“We are playing one of our toughest schedules, and we are right there if we can clean up our defense a little more and gain our confidence back,” Higgins said. “It’s hard playing your first 22 games on the road. This team is young but fun, and I know we will start turning the corner when we get to play at home and not travel.”
The Knights will have that opportunity this weekend. Their home games originally scheduled for Saturday and Sunday against Lamar Community College have been postponed to April 27.
The Knights will instead face Western Nebraska Community College in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dowhower Softball Complex in North Platte.