Story by NPCC Athletic Communications
North Platte, Neb. – North Platte took a one run lead into the final inning of game two against Central Community College, but a big seventh inning helped the Raiders claim the sweep on Tuesday afternoon.
Central 10 North Platte 6
Hannah Dahlke drew a walk to open the doubleheader before a home run from Kami Kaskie two batters later put the Raiders up 2-0. Alieze Moreno earned a free pass to first base, while Victoria Arellano blasted one over the left field fence to knot the game up in the bottom half of the frame.
Central tallied two more runs in the second, but Sarah Perez connected on her first home run of the day to tie the game at 4-4. The Raiders jumped back on the offensive and tallied six more runs over the next three innings to build a 10-4 advantage.
Facing a six-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Knights put two runners in scoring position with one down. A fielder’s choice allowed Moreno to score from third, before a Perez single scored the final run of the game.
Sheena Smith received the start in the circle for the Knights. The right-hander threw seven innings, allowing 10 runs on seven hits and struck out seven in the loss.
Central 19 North Platte 11
The scoring started early, as a single from Perez plated Moreno to give the Knights the 1-0 lead. North Platte was held off the board for the next two innings while Central racked up 10 runs.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Knights responded with nine runs to even the game at 10-10. During the big inning, North Platte posted eight hits including home runs from Wren Herrick and Perez.
North Platte briefly took the lead in the fifth on a wild pitch that plated Afia Hunt from third, but Central rallied in the top of the seventh inning to earn the come from behind sweep.
Arellano earned the start in the circle allowing eight runs on six hits in three innings. Moreno came on in relief and allowed 11 runs on eight hits in four innings in the loss.
Knights (4-16, 0-6 Region IX) will return to the diamond on April 9 against Northeastern Junior College. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at the Dowhower Softball Complex in North Platte.