Plainswomen down Knights in day two sweep

Sterling, Colo. - North Platte Community College Knights Softball came up empty on the second game day of the team's Sterling, Colo. trip, falling 10-2 and 14-5 to Northeastern Junior College. 

The Plainswomen took the lead early in the first game when an error scored them three runs. The Knights struggled to contain the high-powered offense but did record one home run on the day. Taelyn Dakamas put one out in the second inning. 

Angelina Lockhart was on the rubber for NPCC. The pitcher surrendered nine runs on five hits over four innings, striking out two. Jenelle Gudjonson threw one and one-third innings in relief. 

Elena Montoya went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Knights in hits. 

North Platte knotted the next game up at one in the top of the second inning. The Plainswomen induced the Knights' Amya Blake-Cosper to hit into a fielder's choice, scoring one run. 

NPCC pitcher Sasha Strandberg allowed 13 hits and 14 runs over four innings, striking out three. 

The Knights smacked one home run on the day. Lockhart had a homer in the fourth inning. 

Altogether, North Platte tallied eight hits in the game. Lockhart, April Grace and Gwen Anderson each managed two.  

"We played more consistent today, but we are still giving up too many runs with two outs or when we are ahead in the count," said Janelle Higgins, NPCC head softball coach. "Playing seven games in four days is tough on any team, but our starting catcher is also out for an injury, and we are having to rotate positions to accommodate that. With all of those things, we are still fighting, having fun and scoring runs, and as coaches, that's all we can ask for." 

Next up, the Knights will travel to Central Nebraska. They will take on Hastings College in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. March 30. 

The most up-to-date information about NPCC athletics can be found on the Knights Facebook and Twitter accounts and online at npccknights.com.