Simmons Shines As Northwest Downs North Platte In Opening Post-Season Game

(Grand Island, NE) - Graclyn Simmons drove in five runs on three hits to lead Northwest past North Platte  9-0 on Thursday at Veteran's Field Softball Complex in the B-3 District Tournament. Simmons doubled in the third, scoring two, singled in the fourth, scoring two, and singled in the sixth, scoring one.

Simmons struck out 14 batters on the day. The starter also surrendered one hit and zero runs over six innings while walking one.

Northwest Varsity Vikings jumped out to the lead in the bottom of the third inning after an error scored one run, Simmons doubled, scoring two runs, and Lauren Jones doubled, scoring one run.

Northwest Varsity Vikings added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on three hits. Simmons singled, scoring one run, and Becca Dinkelman homered to left field, scoring two runs.

Tiffany Townsend took the loss for North Platte . The hurler went five and two-thirds innings, allowing nine runs (four earned) on nine hits, striking out six and walking two.

Abby Dinkelman collected two hits for Northwest in three at bats. Dinkelman stole two bases. Northwest were sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Karstyn Zuelow had the most chances in the field with 13.

Abby Stiffler led North Platte  with one hit in two at bats.

North Platte ends their season with a record of 13-16. Northwest now 20-3 will take on Scottsbluff in a best 2 out of 3 series on Friday morning starting at 10am. Scottsbluff (18-10) defeated the Ralston Rams on Thursday 6-2. Listen Friday on 103.1 KJ Country and 1031kjcountry.com.