NEO Softball played a tough non conference double header against Labette County on Tuesday, April 26th. Neither game was particularly an easy feat, but the girls battled hard and came away with two solid wins. Game one ended in an 8-4 victory, while game two was a battle; going 9 innings and NEO coming up with a 9-8 win. Kayla Paulo was the winning pitcher. The right hander allowed nine hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out seven. The Lady Norse pulled away for good with four runs in the fourth inning with Paulo, Campbell, Donaldson, and Torres all scoring. NEO  racked up 11 hits in the game. Torres and Donaldson both managed three hits to lead NEO, while Paulo, Horn, Faber, Compton, and Hall each added a hit to contribute to the win. Donaldson, Torres, and Faber each had two RBI's a piece. Paulo and Horn combined to each tack on another one. 

Game two was full of high pressure moments with bases loaded, triples, and late inning bombs to make sure NEO came out on top. Sophomore pitcher Abby Ishmael got the start for game two, going two and two-thirds innings. Kate Faber came on in relief to earn the win. The pitcher surrendered two runs on four hits over six and a third innings, striking out one and walking one. The game was tied in the fifth. Labette was up by one in the sixth, and then Hailey Haskell hit a one one absolute bomb over dead center, giving NEO a chance to walk it off. Two innings later a Calee Gregory lead off walk and a passed ball allowed her to get in scoring position. With sophomore center fielder Paxton Donaldson at the plate Gregory slid in safely on a wild pitch to walk off game two in dramatic fashion. NEO's bats were hot with 14 hits during the game. Donaldson and Tara Hall both managed three hits a piece. Faber and Campbell each managed two hits, with one of Faber's hits being a two home run in the second inning. Hannon, Horn, and Torres also contributed with a hit a piece. 
 

• NEO Lady Norse pick back up at Connors State on Friday, April 29th at 3 & 5pm.
• Sophomore day will be on Sunday May, 1st at 1 & 3pm.
• NEO Softball's last scheduled home game is Wednesday May 4th at 5 & 7pm.