The NTCC softball team picked up its first win of the season Tuesday as the Eagles split a pair of games at Eastern Oklahoma, 4-2 and 1-2.
Kelsey Moulder got the Eagle offense started in first game as she sent a pitch over the left field wall for a two-run home run in the third inning. The Eagles added to the lead in the fifth as Kelsey Kirkland led off with a walk, stole second and scored on a triple by Kix Hutchins to put NTCC up 3-0.
The Mountaineers cut the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the inning but the Eagles added another run in the top of the seventh as Jessica Garza led off with a single and was replaced on the bases by Shelby Jo Weldon. After a passed ball allowed Weldon to advance to second and a bunt by Kirkland moved her to third, a bunt single by Hutchins scored Weldon to put NTCC up 4-1.
Eastern added a run in the bottom of the inning, but it was not enough as the Eagles earned the win. Eagle pitcher Katie Tapley picked up the win.
The Eagles were on the losing end of a walk-off hit in the second game of the day as the Mountaineers picked up a 2-1 victory.†Eastern led 1-0 in the top of the sixth before Amanda Shirley led off the inning with a single for the Eagles. Moulder followed with a double and Hannah Holovach came through with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.†The Mountaineers were able to come up with the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the inning to pick up the win.
The Eagles dropped their opening games of the season against Hill College Saturday despite having a good day at the plate.†Holovach was 3-4 with three doubles and Alizabeth Autry added two more doubles for NTCC in game one, but the Eagles fell 8-7.
Hill scored three times in the fifth inning of the second game and the Eagles were unable to recover as NTCC fell 3-1.
Jessica Miller led the Eagle hitters in the loss, going 2-3 with a double and a stolen base.†The Eagles will back in action this weekend as they play at the Cowtown Tournament in Ft. Worth. Keep up with the team at www.ntcceagles.com or on Twitter @NTCCathletics.
