Story and photo by Philip Senff NPCC Sports Information Coordinator
The North Platte Community College softball team hosted Iowa Western Community College Sunday at Dowhower softball complex in North Platte. The Knights struggled to get any momentum going offensively against the Reivers and IWCC won both games 6-3 and 12-0
The Knights fell behind early in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader after IWCC jumped out to three run lead in the first inning. After falling behind 5-0 in the third inning, the Knights bounced back in the bottom half of the inning with a three-run homerun by Kayleigh Bucio, of Rialto, Ca. After cutting the lead to two runs in the third, NPCC was unable to add to the scoreboard and IWCC came away with the 6-3 win.
The Knights were led offensively by Bucio who finished the game one for three from the plate with three RBI. Taylar Coleman, of North Platte took the mound for NPCC allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out six and walking four.
The second game was dominated by IWCC pitching as the Reiver pitchers combined to pitch a five-inning no-hitter while striking out four Knights. IWCC came out strong scoring 12 runs in the first three innings. With the bats cold, the Knights fell in the final game of Sunday’s doubleheader 12-0. Knights pitchers gave up 12 runs on seven hits while striking out three.
“IWCC’s pitchers hit spots and kept us off balance all day,” said NPCC coach Janelle Higgins. “Defensively, we were caught on our heels throughout the day, giving up four unearned runs in game one and nine in game two. If we take away the errors, we have two different ball games. Today’s injuries to Cundiff and Mata also hurt as it forced us to change our infield around as well.”
With the losses, NPCC drops to 4-8 on the season. The Knights have a chance to bounce back against Northwest Kansas Technical College when they next travel to Goodland, Ks next Sunday.