Knights Softball sweeps doubleheader against Hastings

The North Platte Community College softball team picked up a pair of wins at home Thursday evening against Hastings JV. The Knights swept the Broncos 6-2 and 12-4. 

North Platte stole the lead late in the first game. Hastings was ahead after the first inning, but NPCC's Juliana Ortiz grounded out, scored a run in the bottom of the fourth and knotted the game up. 

The Knights were batting in the bottom of the fifth when they scored on an error and pulled ahead for good. 

Angelina Lockhart was in the circle for the Knights. The righty allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out 11. 

The Knights tallied nine hits in the game. Elena Montoya and Kelsey Woodhouse both managed multiples - Montoya led with four hits in four at bats. 

A homer by Taelyn Dakamas tied up game two in the bottom of the second inning. 

The Knights took the lead permanently with three runs in the third. Woodhouse scored after singling on a 1-1 count, Nancy Martinez lined out, driving in a run, and Dakamas hit a solo homer to left field. 

Montoya had a dinger in the fourth inning then followed that up with another in the fifth. Woodhouse and Jenelle Gudjonson also contributed home runs in the fifth inning. 

Dakamas toed the rubber for the Knights. She went four and a third innings, allowing four runs on four hits and striking out one. 

Altogether, the Knights racked up 11 hits in the game with Montoya, Woodhouse and Dakamas each managing multiples.  

"We finally played, relaxed and had fun," said NPCC Head Softball Coach Janelle Higgins. "When we do that - good things happen." 

The Knights will hit the road this weekend for Sioux City, Iowa. They will tangle with the Briar Cliff University Chargers in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday.