Knights softball ends weekend with double loss to Cougars

North Platte, Neb. – The North Platte Community College softball team dropped a doubleheader to Western Nebraska Community College Sunday 11-3 and 12-8. 

The Knights watched the first game slip away early, unable to defensively contain the Cougars who took the lead in the first inning. Angelina Lockhart threw a wild pitch - allowing one run across the plate for WNCC. 

She surrendered nine runs on 10 hits over six innings, striking out five. Jenny Singer threw one inning in relief. 

North Platte tallied one home run in the game. Gwen Anderson had a four-bagger in the first inning. Kelsey Woodhouse led the Knights with two hits in four at bats. 

The Knights lost the lead late in the second game. The game was tied at five with Western batting in the top of the fifth when the Cougars doubled on a 2-1 count, scoring one run. 

The Knights had captured the lead in the second inning, scoring a run when Esper Lewandowski doubled. 

Western pulled ahead by two in the top of the fourth inning, but by the bottom of the fourth, the teams were tied. That was thanks to Jayden Horner doubling for the Knights – driving in two. 

NPCC put up three runs in the seventh inning. Anderson and Dakamas each had RBIs in the frame. 

Dakamas was in the pitcher's circle for the Knights. The righty went five innings, allowing 10 runs on 12 hits. Lockhart threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen. 

The Knights totaled 12 hits in the game. Horner, Anderson, Lili Kukučková, and Cameron Rollison each racked up multiples with Rollison leading after going 3-for-4 at the plate. 

"WNCC is a good ball team," said Janelle Higgins, NPCC head women's softball coach. "We stranded too many runners and gave them too many unearned runs in game one, which is always a bad combination. Game two, we fought back and played more consistently but still had a few moments where we lost focus. We are making strides in the right direction and just have to keep fighting." 

North Platte is now 3-25 on the season. 

Next up, the Knights will take on McCook Community College in a home doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Dowhower Softball Complex. 

Gate money will be collected to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Admission is $5 per person. 

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