Pictured are NTCC Sophomores (from left): Skylar Liebrecht, Kailey Hancock, Shea Nelson, Lani Green, Daphne Bogenschutz, Vallerie Amaya, Jalissa Alvarez, Carson Zachry, Haley McAlexander, and Hannah Boettcher.
By: Justin Hargrove, Assistant Athletic Director
Northeast Texas Community College hosted Hill College in a non-conference series on April 30th and earned two wins, 4-1 and 4-2, to cap off a great Sophomore day. With this being the final home games of the 2023 season, the Eagles honored the Sophomores at the conclusion of the games.
NTCC got things going in game one in the first inning when Shea Nelson (Hughes Springs, Texas) would reach base with one out after being hit by the pitch. Two batters later Hannah Boettcher (Valley Mills, Texas) hit a two-run homerun to put the Eagles up 2-0.
Hill College got on the board in the top of the second with a solo homerun to cut the lead to 2-1 but that would be all the runs Hill would get in game one.
NTCC stayed off the board until the fifth inning when Haley McAlexander (New Boston, Texas) would lead off with a single and stole second to get into scoring position. Carson Zachry (Mount Pleasant, Texas would single to move McAlexander up to third base. Zachry swiped second to give NTCC runners on Second and third with two outs. Boettcher would ground out to short stop but got the run in for NTCC when Haley would score to bring it to 3-1. Skylar Liebrecht (Lakewood, CA) would single to score Zachry who had moved up to third on the Boettcher ground out put the game at 4-1 NTCC after five innings of play.
Sophomore Daphne Bogenschutz (White Oak, Texas) would start in the circle for NTCC and pitch four innings giving up just one run on two hits, with no walks. Anna Green (Ore City, Texas) would pitch the final three innings giving up 0 runs on three hits and two strikeouts.
In game two, McAlexander got the Eagles on the board first when she lead off with a single and later scored on a single by Giselle Fuentes (Lacissine, LA). NTCC would add to the lead in the second inning when Jalissa Alvarez (Mount Pleasant, Texas) hit a solo homerun to move the lead to 2-0 NTCC after two innings of play.
After both teams were scoreless in the third inning, NTCC added the final two runs they would need in the fourth inning when Nelson would reach via an error to lead off the inning. Lilly Galaviz (Denton, Texas would single to put two runners on for NTCC. Raelyn Kinard (Lake Jackson, Texas) would put the ball in play and picked up the RBI scoring Nelson. Zachry followed that at bat up with a single to score Galaviz to bring the score to 4-0 NTCC after four innings of play.
Hill College managed two runs in the sixth inning, but the Eagles managed to hold on for a 4-2 win.
NTCC sent Braylynn Henderson (West Columbia, Texas) to the circle and she would pitch four innings for the Eagles giving up no runs on just two hits and six strikeouts. Bogenschutz would pitch two more innings before Green would pitch the final inning in win.
NTCC finished conference play with road games at Trinity Valley Community College on May 3rd and at Tyler Junior College for a single make up game on Friday, May 5th. NTCC is in playoff contention going into the final week of play, and is looking to earn a spot in the NJCAA Region 14 post season tournament.
