SOFTBALL: In the midst of a four-game winning streak, the Patrick & Henry Community College Lady Patriots softball team has climbed to No. 2 in the latest NJCAA DIII rankings.

The Lady Pats (17-18, 4-0) swept a doubleheader from conference foe Camp Community College on April 2 by scores of 8-0 and 12-3. 

P&HCC is led by sophomore Morgan Strickland, who is hitting .509 in 34 games played and leads the squad in RBI (42) and home runs (8). The Youngsville, North Carolina native has also been impressive in the circle, holding a 12-7 record and a team-low ERA of 3.63. In nearly 122 innings pitched, Strickland has racked up 113 strikeouts and has tossed two complete games - her 12 victories is tied for first in the country.

Also of note, freshman Laila Rodriguez leads all of DIII in stolen bases with 40, while fellow freshman Tatumn Brim also ranks in the top five in the country with 14 bases swiped.

P&HCC will return to action on Sunday, April 7 for a twin-bill at Caldwell Tech in Hudson, NC beginning at 1:00 p.m.

BASEBALL: Winners of seven consecutive contests, the Patrick & Henry Community College Patriots baseball team has reached No. 13 in the latest NJCAA DII rankings.

Following a 13-1 run-rule victory on the road at Guilford Tech Community College on April 3, the Patriots (23-7, 17-1) sit atop the competitive Region 10 West standings. 

Slashing an impressive .364 as a team, the Patriots lead the conference in runs scored (307), RBI (261), slugging percentage (.590) and are second in home runs with 30. 

Sophomore Jack Pokorak has led the charge at the plate for P&HCC, hitting .385 and sits atop the Region 10 leaderboard in RBI (46) while leading the team in home runs (5) as well. Fellow sophomore Laken Tignor is third in the conference, with a .426 average - adding 35 RBI and three homers. Elsewhere, freshman Carson McCoy leads Region 10 in stolen bases with 36.

On the mound, sophomore right-hander Kyle Fields ranks first in the region with seven victories, holding a 7-1 record and 3.92 ERA in eight appearances. Newcomer Dylan Grabowski has also shined on the bump, with a 6-1 record and 4.30 ERA. The freshman has racked up 39 strikeouts in 37.2 innings pitched.

An impressive nine members of the 2024 squad have already committed to four-year schools to continue their respective academic and athletic careers. 

P&HCC will return to action on Wednesday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. against GTCC from Hooker Field at Lou Whitaker Park. The Patriots will also host P&HCC's inaugural Hometown Heroes Night, featuring a postgame fireworks extravaganza, on Saturday, April 20. Click here for more information.