Independence, KS- Both teams were strong on the rubber Thursday afternoon in game one, but Neosho Softball defeated Independence Community College  3-2. Neosho's pitchers allowed just seven hits against the Pirates. Neosho fired up the offense in the first inning, when an error scored one run for Neosho. Sophomore Kaelee Escoe pitched for the Panthers and she allowed three hits and zero runs over four and two-thirds innings, while striking out five. Offensively, Neosho was lead by Alyssa Rogers, Lindsey Burson, and Kinsley Stewart, each collected one hit each. 

In the second game of the double-header, Neosho County Community College Panthers claimed a 8-7 victory on Thursday, despite a big push by Independence Community College in the first inning. The Panthers had a great come-from-behind victory as they rallied back from a 6 run deficit to get the win in the bottom of the 8th inning. The big inning for the Pirates came courtesy of a single by Cameron Ortiz, a home run by Kiana Turner, and a double by Alli Price. Both offenses were strong at the plate as Neosho collected 12 hits in the high-scoring affair
   
 In the first inning, the Pirates got their offense started when Ortiz singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. The Panthers scored three runs in the sixth inning.  Kaelee Escoe, Ash Stipp, and Shayla Schaper, all drove in runs that inning. Escoe was the winning pitcher for the Panthers. She allowed six hits and one run over seven and two-thirds innings, striking out a whopping ten batters. Kat McManus started the game for Neosho and one-third of an inning, allowing six runs on six hits and walking zero
Sierra Spurlock, Alyssa Rogers, Libby Horton, Ryleigh Chaffin, Kodie Casey, Kinsley Stewart, Madi Phillips, and Escoe all had one hit to lead Neosho offensively in game two. 

The Panthers will host Hutchinson Community College on Thursday, February 21st in a double-header that starts at 2:00 pm.