North Platte drops two to open Region IX play

North Platte, Neb. – The Knights softball team dropped a pair of games to open Region IX play against Southeast Community College on Saturday afternoon.

Southeast 15 North Platte 3

Sheena Smith allowed 10 runs on five hits in one inning, before Alieze Moreno allowed five runs on seven hits in relief. 

Southeast scored 15 runs in the opening three innings, before the Knights added three in the top of the third.

Back-to-back singles by Heaven Hutchison and Wren Herrick gave the Knights two baserunners, before a double by Sarah Perez plated North Platte's first run of the game. Two batters later a Smith grounder plated Herrick from third, before a single by Afia Hunt drove in the final run of the inning on an infield single.

Southeast 19 North Platte 2

Moreno opened game two with a walk to give North Platte its first baserunner. A sacrifice bunt by Victoria Arellano advanced the baserunner to second, before an error by the center fielder moved Moreno to third. A double steal worked in North Platte's favor to plate the opening run of game.

Southeast would not be held down long as they added two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and 17 in the third inning to take a 19-1 lead.

North Platte got one back in the top of the fourth inning as a double by Samantha Seger scored Hunt all the way from first. North Platte would be held off the board the rest of the way.

Arellano pitched 2.1 innings and allowed 11 runs on nine hits in the loss.

North Platte (0-8) will travel to Columbus on Sunday for a doubleheader with the Raiders of Central Community College. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.