02 Mar 2022 Nighthawks softball sweeps ASU Club

HOT SPRINGS — The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks softball team (7-8) swept its nonconference series with Arkansas State University’s club softball team on Monday, winning game one, 6-5, and taking a 9-8 victory in game two. 

Despite seeing its six-run lead whittled down by the end, NPC held off a late Red Wolves rally in game one. The Nighthawks opened up the scoring in the first inning when freshman Jadyn Hart (Paris) scored on a wild pitch. 

The Nighthawks pulled away for good with five runs across in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman Emma Hayes (Munford, AL) knocked in a three-run double while sophomore shortstop Madalynn Thompson (Bryant) hit a two-run home run to extend the lead. 

Hart, Thompson and sophomore Kya Schmidt (Greenwood) led the Nighthawks in hitting with two hits apiece. Freshman pitcher Kacey Solida (Fouke) picked up the win in the circle. The starter surrendered three runs on seven hits over four and one-third innings, notching three strikeouts. Freshmen pitchers Taylor Snow (Bentonville) and Hart entered the game out of the bullpen to close out the game in relief. Hart recorded the final six outs to earn the save. 

Tied at eight in the seventh inning of game two, NPC seized victory in dramatic fashion, thanks to a walk-off single from Thompson on an 0-2 count. 

With runs across in the first three innings, the Nighthawks built a seven-run lead in the third inning and appeared poised to cruise to the series sweep. The Red Wolves rallied late in the game, plating two runs in the fifth inning and six runs in the sixth inning to take the lead. In the seventh, Hayes tied the game with an RBI single before Thompson’s single claimed the team’s third-consecutive victory.   

The Nighthawks travel to Mt. Pleasant, TX to face Northeast Texas Community College in a double header today, March 3, at 2 and 4 p.m.

For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks softball online.