Nighthawks take last game of series against Jets

ENID, OK. - The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk baseball team picked up an NJCAA Division II Region II win against Northern Oklahoma College-Enid (NOC-Enid) over the weekend, picking up a come-frombehind 17-10 victory in the series finale on Sunday.

In the series opener on Saturday, the Nighthawks (15-18, 4-8) watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in a 12-2 loss in six innings. Trailing, 3-0, entering the third inning, the Nighthawks plated runs in each of the third and fourth innings, but could not contain the Jets’ offensive barrage, which tallied nine runs across the final four innings.

Nighthawk freshman pitcher Cole Rodriguez (Cypress, TX) surrendered six runs on five hits over three innings, striking out two in the loss.

NPC fell behind in game two, behind a four-run second inning from NOC-Enid. The Jets added two insurance runs in the fourth inning before a five-run sixth inning put the Nighthawks away, 11-0, in six innings.

Freshman hurler Robby Caro got the start for NPC, allowing six runs on five hits through three and two-thirds innings, striking out three in the loss.

On Sunday, the Nighthawks found themselves in an early deficit, 4-0, entering the top of the third inning. A five-run third inning proved to be the catalyst for the Jets, who staved off an NPC comeback attempt to take a 10-5 victory.

Nighthawk sophomores Panama H-Mendez (Miami, FL) and Darrin Bedell Jr (Scotlandville, LA) hit solo home runs in the loss. Freshman pitcher Matthew Herron (Mountain Pine) toed the rubber for NPC, allowing eight runs on four hits over two innings.

Fueled by a two-run double from CJ Price (Little Rock) in the second inning of the series finale, NPC grabbed a 4-1 lead with a four-run second inning. The Jets regained the lead in the bottom of the second inning with four runs of their own, while adding an insurance run in the third inning.

Trailing, 10-6, entering the eighth inning, NPC tied the game on a grand slam from freshman Demias Jimerson (Malvern). Tied at 10 in the top of the ninth inning, Price blasted NPC’s second grand slam of the game, sparking a seven-run rally to take the series finale, 17-10.

Price went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double and a grand slam, driving in six total runs to lead NPC in hitting. Jimerson added three hits and five RBI, while freshman Tristen Jamison (Nashville) secured two hits, including a solo home run, and three RBI in the win. Sophomore hurler Mason Sellers (Texarkana) got the start for NPC, allowing six runs on five hits over three and one-third innings, striking out three.

NPC celebrates Homecoming on Saturday, Apr. 17 for a double header against Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa beginning at 12 p.m. Game one of the double header will be livestreamed at www.xzerosports.com.

For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawks Baseball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.

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