Story by Heather Johnson - Area Public Information Specialist
The season has come to an end for the North Platte Community College Knights Softball Team.
The Knights hosted No. 7 Kirkwood Saturday for the North Plains A District Championship and fell 12-1 in the first game of the doubleheader.
Nevaeh Ramirez, of Thornton, Colo., led things off in the pitcher’s circle for the Knights. The righthander allowed seven hits and six runs over two and two-thirds innings, striking out one.
Jordan Young, of Johnstown, Colo., threw two and a third innings in relief out of the bullpen.
North Platte hit one home run on the day. Kirsten Greenwalt, of Aurora, Colo., went deep in the second inning. She and Ashlyn Wheeling, of Thornton, Colo., each collected one hit to lead the Knights.
North Platte also watched the second game slip away early, unable to recover a 10-5 loss.
Kyleigh Sullivan, of Fort Worth, Texas, was in the circle. Sullivan allowed 14 hits and 10 runs over seven innings, striking out six.
Zoey Bredleau-Beehler, of Portland, Ore., drove in five runners. She led the Knights with three hits in three at bats and had a homer in the first, third and sixth innings.
“We battled hard today,” said NPCC head women’s softball coach Janelle Higgins. “Kirkwood is a very tough program and showed why they are Number 7 in the nation. We could have rolled over after game one, but instead left everything on the field. Our athletes played with heart and there is nothing to be disappointed about. I couldn’t ask any more of them. I am proud of our heart today.”
Kirkwood will now advance to nationals. The Knights end their season 15-29.