Knights Softball falls in season opener

The North Platte Community College Knights Softball Team kicked-off its regular season with a triangular in Arkansas City, Kan. Friday afternoon. 

NPCC played Seminole State College, out of Oklahoma, then followed that up with a game against host Cowley County Community College. 

The Knights fell 9-1 to Seminole State. The Trojans jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning and extended it with three runs in the top of the second. The Knights were never quite able to catch back up. 

Sophomore Nancy Martinez-Sanchez, of San Antonio, Texas, and freshman MiaKoda Whitehorse, of Page, Ariz., proved to be a force together for North Platte – each collecting two hits back-to-back. Martinez-Sanchez went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead the team with one run batted in. 

NPCC sophomore April Grace, of Kamuela, Hawaii, pitched two innings. She surrendered six runs on three hits, striking out one and walking three. 

Sherea Ortiz, a freshman out of Commerce City, Colo., pitched three innings in relief. The righty allowed five hits and three runs while striking out two and walking three. 

"It's great to get out and get games in," said Janelle Higgins, NPCC head softball coach. "They didn't turn out the way we wanted, but we learned where our weaknesses are to improve for the rest of the year. Seminole and Cowley had a pair of games in, so they got their jitters out yesterday." 

North Platte dropped the game against Cowley County 15-0. Cowley got on the board in the bottom of the first inning then followed that up with six runs and two hits in the bottom of the sixth. 

Martinez-Sanchez and Colby Keckler, a freshman from Nampa, Idaho, each collected a hit for North Platte. The Knights turned one double play in the game. 

"These games don't define us or the ability of this group of ladies," said Higgins. "It's a bump in a 60-game schedule. We play tough programs to prepare us and make us better, and we got better today – just need to be one percent better tomorrow." 

The Knights were supposed to play Coffeyville Community College Saturday, but the doubleheader was canceled due to rain. They will have a chance for a comeback against Cowley County on Sunday. First pitch of that doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. 

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