The North Platte softball team pitched two shutouts and showcased its offensive capabilities on Saturday, Aug. 30, as it clinched the North Platte Invitational for the fifth consecutive year.
The Panthers outscored East Buchanan, Lexington and Winston/Pattonsburg 41-4. North Platte capitalized on errors by opponents in all three run-rule victories.
East Buchanan didn’t make it out of the fourth inning before the game ended in 15-0 run-rule fashion, making it nine straight wins for the Panthers against their conference foe. Senior first baseman Addison Zweibohmer went 2 for 2 with 3 RBIs, while sophomore second baseman
Francis Kossen scored three with a bases-loaded triple in the second inning. Senior pitcher Kate Wolf struck out nine batters in three hitless innings.
North Platte used a nine-run third inning to propel past Lexington 16-4 in their second game. Center fielder Sophie Greer drove in four runs, followed by three-RBI performances from McKenna Cunningham and Morgan Ball.
In the third game against Winston/Pattonsburg, Wolf returned to the circle and pitched a five-inning no-hitter with seven strikeouts. Shortstop Graci Williams stepped up offensively, going 3 for 4 at the plate with three RBIs.
The Panthers hope the strong showing will catapult them towards another 20-win season, as they have done each of the past three years.
North Platte has games with DeKalb (Sept. 2), Bishop LeBlond (Sept. 3) and Lafayette (Sept. 4) before visiting Stewartsville with Osborn (Sept. 10) and hosting Penney (Sept. 11).