Knights split doubleheader to open season

North Platte, Neb.  – The Knights opened their season by splitting a home doubleheader with Dakota State at Bottineau on Friday.

Dakota State 10 North Platte 4

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the second when a Heaven Hutchison double plated Sarah LeBere to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.

North Platte added another run in the fourth before Dakota State responded in the fifth with a run on an error and a two-run homer to take a 3-2 lead. The Knights tied it in the bottom half on an RBI groundout by Alieze Moreno that scored Callie Klemenz.

Dakota State broke the game open in the sixth with five runs on three hits. North Platte added one run in the bottom of the inning, but the Lumberjacks tacked on two more late to secure the win.

Danica Unger pitched five innings, allowing five runs on four hits (two earned) with five strikeouts.

North Platte 13 Dakota State 0

The Knights jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of three Lumberjack errors.

North Platte tacked on two more runs in the third inning after Wren Herrick doubled down the right-field line. The Knights then broke the game open in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs to create a lead the Lumberjacks could not overcome.

Kaylee Davis dominated in the circle, pitching all five innings for the Knights. She allowed just two hits and no runs while striking out nine and issuing no walks.

Knights (1-1) will open Region 9 play Saturday against Lamar Community College. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. in Lamar, Colo.