NCMC softball is off to a 1-7 start after facing stiff early season competition.  The team dropped 4 games in the FunCity Dome in Burlington, IA on February 20-21.  Three of those losses came to host Southeastern CC (9-0, 11-5, 6-1) and the other to Spoon River College by the score of 8-3.  Then, in a Kansas road trip, NCMC fell in both games of a doubleheader with Neosho County CC 1-0 & 11-2 before earning a split at Allen County CC.  Final scores in that one were a 4-3 loss before a 14-6 run rule victory.

Emma Lisenbee knocked a 3-run homer in the victory over Allen County, the major blow in the game.  As a team, NCMC has struggled out of the gate offensively.  They are averaging 3.5 runs, a number that was greatly improved in their first win.  Freshman Myla Laws is leading the early offensive charge with a .412 batting average, though all hits have been singles.

In the pitcher's circle, sophomore Cassi Rodgers has tossed 16.0 innings with an ERA of 4.38.  In all, the team's ERA is 7.00, to much for the early season offense to overcome.

Looking ahead, Pirate's softball will play their first home games on Sunday when they host Hawkeye CC.  First pitch is set for noon.  This doubleheader will be the first of 8 straight home games as NCMC will look to get back to their winning ways.