Courtesy Photo­Image Rachel Silva

Rachel Silva threw a no-hitter on Sunday for North Platte Community College in the finals of the Region IX Division II tournament as the Lady Knights beat Southeast Community College 7-0 at the Dowhower Softball Complex.

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"She was throwing heat from the beginning," NPCC coach Janelle Higgins said of the sophomore pitcher from Olivehurst, Calif. "She threw an amazing game."

After beating Southeast on Saturday to reach the finals. The Knights took control right away against the Storm, who beat Central Community College earlier in the day to get a rematch with NPCC.

NPCC scored a run in the first inning to give Silva all the run support she needed. Then in the second inning, the Lady Knights put up five more to make it 6-0 before scoring their final run in the third.

"We were very solid hitting the ball," said Higgins. "In the second inning, we went to small-ball again and we put the ball on the ground and put pressure on them."

Silva shut the door in the next four innings to give NPCC its first Region IX championship since 2009, which was the last time the tournament was played at the Dowhower.

The Knights will now head to Iowa for the District championship. Higgins said she was pleased with how her team played in its two games of the Region IX tournament and she believes it bodes well for the Lady Knights.

"This was a great win for us," Higgins said. "Whoever we play will be tough. But with the way we're playing right now, we can play with anybody."