KOCH SHINES AS NORTHEAST SPLITS

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College softball team battled Cloud County Community College for the third and fourth times this season Tuesday at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk. The Thunderbirds snagged Game 1 by a final score of 4-1 before the Hawks triumphed 3-1 in Game 2.

Northeast (11-23, 0-16 ICCAC) experienced the highest temperatures that they have seen so far on the campaign but there was a strong wind blowing in directly from centerfield that hampered both offenses on the afternoon. Emilee Spitz (Columbus, Neb.) struck out nine batters from Cloud County and drove in the only Hawks run during the first contest on a single that brought in Mia Eickhoff (Redondo Beach, Calif.).

Tara Koch (Norfolk, Neb.) was in the circle the entire way during the second battle of the day as Abby Balfour (Nebraska City, Neb.) and Spitz both picked up RBIs to give Northeast an early lead. The Hawks pushed their third run across the plate on a rare play that involved the Thunderbirds catcher throwing the ball back to the pitcher after a pitch, the ball bouncing off the bat of Koch and landing clear over the fence and out of play. The umpires decided that by rule the runner on third base should come in to score and that run gave Northeast enough of a cushion to snap their five-game losing streak.

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head softball coach Iris Woodhead on the split:

"I'm glad that we came back and won the second game," Woodhead said. "It's nice to have the ball back on our court. It was something that we needed, especially going into the last half of conference play. We needed to get back in the win column just to feel good."

Woodhead on seeing Central Community College again tomorrow:

"We have to hit," Woodhead said. "We have to make better adjustments. We have to swing the ball hard. If our hitters can make adjustments and Emilee can limit walks, I think we'll be there."

UP NEXT:

Northeast will host Central Community College in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk.

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