Columbus – The North Platte Community College Softball team (5-21) finished third on Sunday at the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference (NCCAC) Tournament Sunday afternoon in Columbus. The Knights opened up the tournament with a loss to the McCook Community College Indians 3-6 before rebounding to defeat the Southeast Community College Storm 10-6. The Knights then closed out the tournament falling to the host the Central Community College Raiders 4-7 to finish third in the tournament.

In the opening game, Shannon Lieber took the loss on the mound giving up five hits and two unearned runs. Soliel Atenza and Jazmin Chang led the Knights at the plate going 2-3 to go along with a homerun for Chang.

In the second game of the day Katharine Savolt earned the victory on the mound for her first victory of the season. Savolt allowed four hits and two earned run. Lieber earned the save with three hits and one earned run. Lexi Bryant led the Knights at the plate going 4-4 with three doubles, two RBIs and scored three times. Savolt and Chang each went 3-4 from the plate as Change scored three runs.

In the final game of the tournament, Lieber again took the loss giving up six hits and two earned runs. Lieber also led the Knights at the plate going 3-4 with an RBI. Atenza was 2-3 as was Brooke Wakefield.

“We played more consistent on Sunday and will continue to get better,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. If we eliminate a few key errors and keep the other team from scoring multiple runs on two outs then it is a different ball game in both our losses.”

“I am proud of these girls for battling through the injuries and sickness and still giving it their all.”

The Knights return to the diamond on Friday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. against the Hastings College JV at the Dowhower Softball Complex. The Knights then take to the road on Tuesday April 15 to face the Iowa Western Reivers.