MARKER HAS BIG AFTERNOON AS NORTHEAST SPLITS ON OPENING DAY

LAMAR, Colo. – The Northeast Community College softball team kicked their season off Friday with games against Northeastern Junior College and Otero College. The Hawks downed NJC by a final score of 12-3 in five innings before falling to Otero in Game 2 by a final score of 6-1.

Northeast (1-1) started early and often in Game 1 as Delaney Kruse (Wayne, Neb.) and Bailee Ahlemeyer (Cambridge, Neb.) both drove in runs in the first inning. Kruse and Lauren Marker (Kearney, Neb.) each tallied two RBIs in the contest while Isabel Raburn (Holdrege, Neb.) went the distance in the circle by striking out eight batters and only allowing two earned runs.

The Hawks were only able to push across one run in the second game of the day as Rachel Hobbs (Hoskins, Neb.) tripled in the fourth inning to bring home a run. Marker picked up her fourth hit of the doubleheader in the nightcap as Northeast will now look ahead to two more showdowns tomorrow in completion of their road trip to Colorado.

STAT SHEET GAME 1 AGAINST NJC:

Lauren Marker (Kearney, Neb.): 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI 2B

Delaney Kruse (Wayne, Neb.): 2-2, 3 R, 2 RBI, 3B

Talia Bandt (Grand Island, Neb.): 2-3, R, RBI, 2B

STAT SHEET GAME 2 AGAINST OTERO:

Rachel Hobbs (Hoskins, Neb.): 1-3, RBI, 3B

Lauren Marker (Kearney, Neb.): 1-3, R

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Softball Coach Erin Sharpe on Opening Day as a whole:

"I thought the girls came out with a lot of energy," Sharpe said. "We are still moving some pieces around to find the best fit, but overall, I am proud of them and what's to come. Our bats and pitching was on in the first game, where the second game we saw better pitching and we need to make adjustments sooner."

Sharpe on the key to finishing the trip strong tomorrow:

"I think we got the jitters out today," Sharpe said. "Going in tomorrow with confidence and energy will be key to be even more successful. I'm excited to see more moving pieces put in play."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will complete their trip with a showdown with Lamar Community College at 12 p.m. and a matchup with Southeast Community College at 4 p.m. tomorrow in Lamar, Colorado.

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