Story by Heather Johnson Area Public Information Specialist
The North Platte Community College Knights Softball Team ran off with the lead late in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday – earning in a 9-7 victory over Central Community College.
It was the Knights’ first home game of the season.
Nevaeh Ramirez, of Thornton, Colo., led things off in the pitcher’s circle for the Knights. She lasted seven innings, allowing nine hits and seven runs while striking out seven.
Central scored four runs in the sixth inning, but the Knights still managed to pull out the victory. The Knights were trailing 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Jace Cundiff, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., singled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs.
The Knights tallied a total of 12 hits. Cundiff; Madisyn Hamar, of Chadron; Jenny Singer, of Calgary, Alberta; Essence McRae, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Morganne Brown, of Milliken, Colo., all managed multiple hits for the Knights. Ham went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Knights in hits.
Even though the Knights collected nine hits to Central’s eight, they still fell 15-6 in the second game.
Pitcher Kyleigh Sullivan, of Fort Worth, Texas started the game. She allowed seven hits and 12 runs over two innings, striking out one.
The Knights took an early lead in the first inning. Singer grounded out, scoring two runs.
Sullivan induced Central to hit into a fielder’s choice on two occasions in the third inning. One run was scored both times.
Jordan Young, of Johnstown, Colo., threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen.
The Knights launched one home run. Zoey Bredleau-Beehler, of Portland, Ore., had a dinger in the third inning.
Singer, Horner and Bredleau-Beehler all managed multiple hits in the game – collecting two hits each to lead the Knights. Horner also led the Knights with two stolen bases.
The Knights are now 6-22 on the season.
“We fought and earned game one. Game two, we came out flat,” said NPCC Knights Softball head coach Janelle Higgins. “We didn’t adjust to the umpire and let them get in our heads. We have to keep the momentum and energy for two games not just one - start playing for each other every inning.”
Saturday’s games began a streak that will see the rest of the Knights’ play at home for the remainder of the season.
The games originally scheduled for April 13-14 against Dakota Wesleyan University have been canceled. That means the Knights will be up next against Southeast Community College. Start time is 2 p.m. April 17 at the Dowhower Softball Complex in North Platte.