Knights split games against Hastings

The North Platte Community College softball team lost its first game of a doubleheader against Hastings College on Wednesday, 5-11, then bounced back with an 11-5 win.

"It shows the grit and heart this team has to win game two after losing game one," said NPCC head softball coach Janelle Higgins. "Game one, we played well, just got caught watching the game in the fifth and allowed Hastings to get too far ahead."

The first game started out slow, with Hastings scoring one run in the first inning and another in the third. North Platte waited until the fourth inning to put a run on the board.

It was another three runs for each team in the sixth inning, bringing the score to 5-10.

Nevaeh Ramirez, of Thornton, Colo., was in the pitcher's circle for the Knights. She lasted all seven innings, allowing 14 hits and 11 runs while striking out eight and walking one.

The Knights racked up eight hits on the day. Madisyn Hamar, of Chadron, and Morganne Brown, of Milliken, Colo., all managed multiple hits. Hamar led the Knights with three hits in three at bats.

The second game was nearly a reversal of the first, with most of the action occurring after the third inning. However, that time the Knights dominated.

North Platte scored a run in the first inning, on an error.

After Hastings scored one run in the top of the third, the Knights answered with one of their own.

Hastings scored when NPCC's Jordan Young, Johnstown, Colo., induced #18 to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored. The Knights then answered when Young grounded out, scoring one run.

The Knights pulled away for good with four runs in the fourth inning. A sacrifice bunt by Brown scored one run, Las Vegas, Nev. native Essence McRae's sac fly scored a run, Jace Cundiff, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run, and Zoey Bredleau-Beehler, Portland, Ore., singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

Young got the start for the Knights. She went seven innings, allowing five runs on nine hits and striking out one.

The Knights collected 11 hits altogether. Hamar, Cundiff and Ashlyn Wheeling, of Thornton, Colo., all collected multiple hits with Hamar and Wheeling each managing three hits to lead the Knights.

"Our youth continues to show as we get comfortable with a close game instead of staying focused," Higgins said. "We are still trying to find our groove after starting out 26 games on the road, and then Mother Nature has been playing havoc with our schedule. Every time we start to get into rhythm, games get moved or cancelled, and it's like starting all over again the next week. This team has the talent to make the end of the year fun if we get into rhythm."

The Knights are now 7-25 on the season.

Their next game will be at home against Southeast Community College. They will play a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. Friday at the Dowhower Softball Complex.