NORTHEAST TAKES ONE DURING TRIP DOWN SOUTH BEHIND DOMINANCE FROM RABURN

TISHOMINGO, Okla. – The Northeast Community College softball team made their second road trip of the season with doubleheaders in Gainesville, Texas against North Central Texas College on Saturday and Tishomingo, Oklahoma against No. 3 Murray State College on Sunday. The Hawks split the Saturday contests before dropping both showdowns on Sunday.

Northeast (3-5) took until the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie in Game 1 against North Central Texas but a double from Bailee Ahlemeyer (Cambridge, Neb.) scored Lauren Marker (Kearney, Neb.) and Rachel Hobbs (Hoskins, Neb.) to put the Hawks ahead. Isabel Raburn (Holdrege, Neb.) was stellar in the circle as the freshman tossed all seven innings, allowed just three hits and recorded 11 strikeouts to give the Hawks the 2-0 victory.

Ahlemeyer's bat stayed hot in Game 2 as she recorded two hits with a double and an RBI. Marker was important again as she picked up her second and third hits of the afternoon with a double and a triple in the nightcap. Delaney Kruse (Wayne, Neb.) also picked up an RBI in the matchup to continue her strong start to the season, but Northeast fell 11-3 in the ballgame.

The Hawks dropped both Sunday games as they fell 10-0 and 6-0 against the nationally-ranked No. 3 Murray State College squad. Raburn was strong again in Game 2 in the circle as she allowed just six hits over all six innings of work and tallied four strikeouts for Northeast. The Hawks will return home and will now look ahead to hosting their home opener next weekend on Saturday and Sunday at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk.

STAT SHEET GAME 1 AGAINST NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS:

Bailee Ahlemeyer (Cambridge, Neb.): 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI

Lauren Marker (Kearney, Neb.): 1-2, R

Isabel Raburn (Holdrege, Neb.): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 11 K

STAT SHEET GAME 2 AGAINST NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS:

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

Bailee Ahlemeyer (Cambridge, Neb.): 2-3, 2B, R

Delaney Kruse (Wayne, Neb.): 1-3, RBI

STAT SHEET GAME 1 AGAINST MURRAY STATE:

Isabel Raburn (Holdrege, Neb.): 0-1, BB

STAT SHEET GAME 2 AGAINST MURRAY STATE:

Talia Bandt (Grand Island, Neb.): 1-2, BB

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Softball Coach Erin Sharpe on the victory against North Central Texas and the effort from Isabel Raburn in the circle:

"Isabel did amazing, but Malika Monroe (Valentine, Neb.) made some incredible plays in left field as well," Sharpe said. "It was a joint effort that took everyone. Overall, I'm proud of the competitiveness these girls are showing throughout every game."

Sharpe on the doubleheader in Oklahoma on Sunday:

"I thought our games against Murray State were good for conference play," Sharpe said. "I think our pitching is closer to where it needs to be, but our bats need to make better in-game adjustments. I thought Isabel had a great game out there and the defense did great backing her up. We are making plays in the outfield that we never would have last year and it's great to see."

Sharpe on her team hosting their home opener this weekend against Iowa Western:

"I'm excited to show our local fans what we have been working on," Sharpe said. "Being at home will add a level of comfortability that I'm excited to see as well. The Hawks will work hard this week and will be ready to go on Saturday."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will host their home opener in a doubleheader with Iowa Western Community College at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

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