Neosho Softball traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas to play a tough three games to start their spring break. Although. the team went 0-3 on the day, the competition was tough and helped to get the Panthers ready for the start of conference play.
Game one sophomore pitcher Cassidy Paulson started the game for the Panthers against Three Rivers Community College and recorded 21 outs. Paulson took the loss for the Panthers. However, the righty went seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits and struck out six. Kirsten Birdwell, Journee Zito, Lydia Brown, and Duin each managed one hit to lead Neosho at the plate.The Panthers would eventually lose 3-0 to the Raiders of Three Rivers Community College.
Game two against Crowder was a seven inning thriller. Neosho led most of the game due to Kirsten Birdwell's solo homerun in the second inning.The pitching for NCCC was great with freshman Olivia Cummings going the distance and striking out eight and allowing three hits. Birdwell led the way on offense with a multi-hit game. Espy Daniels also had a hit late in the game and also contributed a stolen base. Although the Panthers led the entire game, it was Crowder who took the win 3-1.
Game three of the day was against Three Rivers for a rematch that did not go Neosho County's way. The Raiders put up a lot of runs against the Panthers and Neosho just couldn't hang with the scoring parade. Freshman, Lauren Fuller, started the game and pitched three innings, Cassidy Paulson came in in relief, and Olivia Cummings finishing up the game for the Panthers. Neosho had the lead until the bottom of the fourth before turning it over to the Raiders by a final score of 17-6. Despite the loss, NC's offense was strong, stringing together three hits and six RBI's. Paulson, Brown, Crowe, Daniels, Boline, and Fuller all had a hit. Hannah Duin and Journee Zito both had two hits. Cassidy Paulson led the way with three RBI's with a three run bomb in the second inning.
The Panthers will look to get back on the diamond when they travel to Arkansas City, KS to take on Cowley Community College on Saturday, March 20th at 1:00 and 3:00 PM.
