(Dodge City, Kansas) – The Dodge City Community College Softball program started the season off on a high note this week. On Tuesday they started off with a doubleheader sweep of Hesston College, winning those games 5-3, and 3-1. It didn't end there for the Conqs, however, as they were able to parlay that into another doubleheader sweep against some pretty tough competition in Northern Oklahoma College. DC3 won those two games 9-7, and 5-4.
 
The games against Hesston saw great pitching performances by Dodge City. In the first game, Sam Montano started and threw 5.1 innings. She allowed 3 hits, 3 earned runs, and walked just one batter. In relief of her, Jessica Espinoza came on and finished the last 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit. Espinoza would start the 2^nd game and pitch a great game. She threw a complete game, allowing just 2 hits, and 1 earned run.
 
From a hitting standpoint, there wasn't a ton of offense in either game but there were a few timely, clutch at-bats for the Conqs. In the 1^st game of the day, Jessica Espinoza went 1-3 with an RBI, Sophia Herrera hit a big 2 run home run, and Haley Bass would also add 2 RBI's. Game 2 there was even less offense, but a 3-3, 1 RBI performance by Gianna Browdy was a standout performance.
 
Against Northern Oklahoma College on Thursday, the Conquistadors needed to rely on their offense a lot more, and it delivered for them.
 
Game 1 started slowly as the Jets Pitcher Lindsi Spring really dominated through the first 3 innings. Going into the bottom of the 4^th the Conqs were down 6-1. The Dodge City bats would finally get rolling as they put up 4 spots in both the 4^th and the 6^th innings to complete the comeback and win game 1 9-7. Gianna Browdy took the hill to start the game and got roughed up to the tune of 6 earned runs, 4 walks, and 5 hits in 2.2 innings. Allie Hufford came on in relief of her and allowed 3 hits, but just 1 run in 3 innings. Jessica Espinoza closed out the game by shutting out the Jets in 1.2 innings.
 
Lexy Perez had a big game, going 2-2 including a grand slam and knocked in 5 runs total. Espinoza, Herrera, Browdy, and Bass also contributed an RBI each.
 
Game 2 was a little bit of a different story as this one had the Conqs starting off strong. Going into the bottom of the 3^rd it was scoreless, but the Conquistadors would knock in 3 runs that inning to get out to a lead. They would also add a run in the 4^th and 5^th innings. Going into the 7^th DC3 held a 5-1 lead. It got interesting in the 7^th as Northern Oklahoma College would score 3 runs to cut it to 1 before Jessica Espinoza was able to shut the door and give the Conqs the victory.
 
Espinoza threw 7 innings, allowing 10 hits, 4 runs, walked just 1 and struck out 2. Sam Montano plated 2, and Karissa Avila drove in 1. Cayley Best added 2 RBI's in her first game of the season. There was great defensive play by the Conqs as well, especially at 2^nd and Short Stop. Each made diving plays that turned out to be extremely important plays in securing the victory.
 
Dodge City Community College has a little bit of time to rest, recuperate, and get back at it as they won't play again until next weekend. They head down to Texas and will play a total of 6 games. They are scheduled for doubleheaders against Western Texas College on Friday the 22^nd at 1, and 3 PM. They will also play 2 games against Western Texas on Saturday, this time it will be 11 AM and 1 PM. Sunday they head to Borger, where they will face Frank Phillips College for games at 1 PM and 3 PM.