Softball shuts out San Jac 5-0 in Regional Tourney opener

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The Northeast Texas Community Eagles softball team started off the Region XIV NJCAA Tournament with a bang as they shut out San Jacinto College 5-0 in their first game.

?This was a big game for us and we stepped up and took care of business,? Lady Eagle Head Coach Jessica Keith said. ?Now we just need to keep building momentum and keep on winning.?

Shelby Weldon kicked things off for the Eagles with a triple. She was sent home on an RBI single from Alizabeth Autrey. The Eagles held a 1-0 lead through the third before the NTCC hitters came back in full force.

Jessica Garza homered in the top of the fourth, moving the lead to 2-0. Hannah Holovach followed with another home run, scoring both herself and Jessica Miller. They went into the bottom of the fourth 4-0. Shelby Weldon robbed a San Jacinto homer by making a heroic catch in left field to end the fourth inning.

Kelsey Moulder lined to left field in the fifth, scoring Jessica Miller moving the score to 5-0. Moulder and Erica Graham turned a double play to end the sixth inning. The Eagles held steady through the seventh, sending San Jacinto's to the loser?s bracket as NTCC picked up a 5-0 victory.

Pitcher Katie Tapley picked up the complete-game shutout win for the Lady Eagles, giving up just two hits in the contest.

The Eagles will play again on Friday at 5 p.m. against the winner between Paris Junior College and Alvin. Follow their games on Twitter @ntccathletics.