Beatrice – The North Platte Community College Knights softball team ended their season Saturday, losing the third and deciding game of the Region IX Division II first round series against the Southeast Community College Lady Storm 8-5.

The Lady Storm got things going quickly in the first inning, scoring two runs on a two-run home run by Jessica Lusk to put the Lady Storm ahead 2-0.

In the bottom of the first Alyiah Franco reached base.  After advancing to third base on a ground out by Hallei Morales, Franco scored on a passed ball by to cut the Lady Storm lead to 2-1.

The Knights tied the game up at two in the second inning on a solo home run by Ana Talaroc-Kaniho.

The Lady Storm regained the lead by scoring three runs in the third  and three more runs in the fourth to make the score 8-2.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the seventh, when the Knights rallied to score runs by Alejandra Aguilar Vivar,  Talaroc-Kaniho, and Emily Marsden to make the score 8-5.

Marsden pitched three and one third innings and Kamree Christensen pitched three and two thirds innings.  Christensen struck out two Lady Storm hitters.

Lusk pitched the complete game to pick up the win for the Lady Storm, who are now 15-35 on the season.

The Lady Storm advance to the Region IX Division II championship series against Central Community College in Columbus, starting on May 5 in a best two out of three series.

The Knights finish their season at 5-34.