The North Platte Community College Knights softball team was defeated by the Western Nebraska Community College Lady Cougars in a doubleheader Monday afternoon 12 – 6 and 15 – 1.

In the first game the Lady Cougars scored four runs in the first inning.  Andy Hancock had three runs batted in on two hits, a single in the first and a home run in the fifth. The Knights started off the second inning with a home run by Sara Villalobos, a walk to Shannon Lieber and a single by Sara Runia to start a rally.  However, the Cougars pitcher Whitney Fields struck out the next two batters, allowed a single by Jessica Jarvis to load the bases, but got Caroline Motis to pop out to the third baseman.

The Cougars scored one more run in the bottom of the second and two in the third.  The Knights scored two in the second on a two-run home run by Shannon Lieber and three runs in the third on a bases loaded walk to Audrie Connor, an RBI single by Brittney Odum and an RBI single by Sara Villalobos to close the deficit to one 7 – 6.   The Cougars opened up the game in the fifth inning by scoring five runs.

Andy Hancock pitched the final two innings and didn’t allow a base runner for the Knights.

Shannon Lieber took the loss for the Knights.  Lieber pitched six innings, allowed eight earned runs on 13 hits, striking out two and allowing a home run.

In the second game of the day, the Lady Cougars opened the game up in the first inning by scoring six runs on a two-run double by Kenzie Sawyer, an RBI single by Lindsay Guymon, and a three-run home run by Andy Hancock.  It was Hancock’s second three–run home run of the day.

The lone run for the Knights was scored by Jessica Jarvis, who walked in the fifth inning, reached third on a single by Sara Runia and then scored on a fielder’s choice by Sara Villalobos.

Hancock pitched four scoreless innings for the Cougars to pick up the win.  Sara Runia took the loss for the Knights allowing nine earned runs on eight hits and four walks and one home run in two innings.

The Knights record drops to 1 – 9 on the season.  The Cougars improve to 15 – 3.

The Knights are on the road again when they travel to play Adams State University Junior Varsity in a double header on Friday, March 6.  Game times are at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. CST.