Softball: North Arkansas Tournament Recap

The Central Community College softball team went 4-2 at the North Arkansas College tournament over the weekend. A short recap of each game is below. The Raiders will stage their home opener on Saturday with a double-header against Iowa Western Community College. The first game starts at 1 p.m.

Game 1 vs. North Arkansas College

The Raiders exploded with seven runs in the second inning and cruised to an 11-1 victory over the host Pioneers. Kenzie Bonner Emma Lees, Kaylee McNeese and Kailee Pollard each recorded doubles while Caroline Riffer recorded a pair of RBI. Pollard was the winning pitcher.

Game 2 vs. Southwest Tennessee Community College

The Saluqis scored 13 runs over the fourth and fifth innings in a 17-2 victory over the Raiders in five innings. McNeese and Riffer scored the two CCC runs while pitcher Payten Gibson took the loss.

Game 3 vs. North Arkansas College

The Pioneers got revenge in a 14-13 win over the Raiders. North Arkansas scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure the come-from-behind win. CCC's Andrea Fernandez, Anna Halladay and Kinsley Wimer each logged homeruns while Pollard took the loss.

Game 4 vs. Southwest Tennessee Community College

The Raiders returned the favor as they defeated the Saluqis, 11-9. Each team scored five runs in the fifth inning, but CCC held the upper hand, 8-7. Southwest Tennessee moved ahead with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, before CCC claimed victory with three runs in the seventh. Halladay recorded a homerun as did Lees to go along with four RBI. Pollard was the winning pitcher for CCC.

Game 5 vs. North Arkansas College

The Pioneers held a 4-3 advantage through four innings before the Raiders scored six runs in the sixth inning and went on to a 14-6 triumph. McNeese tallied a triple while Bonner and Bailey Jones each totaled a pair of doubles. Pollard picked up the win.

Game 6 vs. North Arkansas College

The Raiders had just enough to hold off the Pioneers, 5-4, in the final game of the tournament. Central was leading 5-2 at the close of the fourth inning and held North Arkansas to a pair of runs in the sixth inning for the one-run win. Halladay scored two runs while Georgia Meyer, Pollard and Wimer each scored one run apiece. Pollard was the winning pitcher, giving her a 4-1 mark for the weekend.

Some of the CCC totals for the three-day tournament include 74 runs in six games. Riffer went 14-26 at the plate with a .538 batting average and seven stolen bases. Lee went 10-20 at the plate for a .500 batting average and nine RBI.

"We are a young team and to come out and swing the bats the way we did is a great start to the season," said CCC head coach Caitlin Simon. "Defensively, we definitely made strides throughout the three days, and we know that is what's going to win us games down the road."