Story by Heather Johnson Area Public Information Specialist
Iowa Falls, Iowa. - Both teams were strong in the pitcher’s circle Thursday, but Ellsworth Community College was just a little bit stronger at the plate in a 2-0 victory over the North Platte Community College Knights Softball Team.
Nevaeh Ramirez, of Thornton, Colo., started the game for the Knights, recording 18 outs. The righty surrendered two runs on one hit over six innings, striking out four and walking one.
The Knights scored a single by Kirsten Greenwalt, of Aurora, Colo. in the seventh inning. Greenwalt went 1-for-3 at the plate to lead the Knights in hits.
The Knights outhit their opponent in the second game with 10 hits to Ellsworth’s seven, but the Panthers still claimed the 9-4 win.
The Knights scored three runs in the sixth inning with batters Greenwalt, Morganne Brown, of Milliken, Colo., and Essence McRae, of Las Vegas, Nev., all driving in runs.
Pitcher Kyleigh Sullivan, of Fort Worth, Texas, went six innings, allowing nine runs on seven hits and striking out eight.
The Knights scattered 10 hits in the game. Jayden Horner, of Firestone, Colo., Madisyn Hamar, of Chadron and Greenwalt all managed multiple hits. Horner led the Knights with three hits in four at bats.
“We came out solid today, had energy and focus, but our bats were as cold as it was outside today in game one, and it’s hard to win games when the bats are quiet,” said NPCC Knights Softball head coach Janelle Higgins. “Game two, our bats came alive, but our energy slowly went down with the sun and the temperature. It is our first go with playing in cold and wind this spring, and it hampered us. We dug deep and stayed in the game, but the spark came too late.”
The Knights are now 3-11 on the season.
“We find ourselves a little more each day out,” said Higgins. “It was hard to get back in the groove after having 11 days off because of weather. Tomorrow is a new day and it’s going to be a great day to play ball.”
The Knights will remain in Iowa for the time being. They will take on Southwestern Community College, in Creston, Iowa in a doubleheader beginning at noon Friday.