Knights come up short against Otero in doubleheader despite extra-inning fight

North Platte, Neb. - The North Platte Community College softball team dropped both games of Saturday's doubleheader against Otero College, pushing game two into extra innings before coming up short.

Otero 12 North Platte 8

The Rattlers struck early, plating two runs in the top of the first, but North Platte answered with one in the bottom half. Otero added a run in the second and three in the third.

The Knights battled back, tying the game 6-6 in the fifth after an Otero error brought Nayely Duran home. However, the Rattlers regained control in the sixth, scoring five runs and holding on the rest of the way to secure the win.

Areliana Bravo got the start in the circle for the Knights, pitching 2.2 innings. She allowed five hits and six runs (four earned), while striking out three and walking four.

Otero 9 North Platte 4

Otero scored first with a run in the third, but Bravo answered with a game-tying homer in the bottom half. The Rattlers regained the lead in the fourth before North Platte responded with two runs to go in front.

Tied 3-3 at the end of regulation, the game moved into extra innings, where Otero broke through with six runs in the eighth. The Knights managed one run in response but couldn't close the gap.

Bravo started in the circle, going 7.2 innings while allowing 12 hits and nine runs (eight earned), with nine strikeouts and one walk.

North Platte (2-28) returns home on Sunday against Otero College, with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m.