By Mitch Blankespoor
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kalamazoo College softball teams split a twin bill with Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Saint Mary's College (Ind.) Thursday. The Hornets lost game one 9-4 but bounced back to win game two 5-4.
"We were proud to be on our home field," Kalamazoo Head Coach Sue Mattice said. "We bounced back after a tough game one to get a victory."
In the victory, Kalamazoo got on the board early when freshman Erin DuRoss singled to left field with the bases loaded. Sophomore Megan Malish followed up with a sacrifice fly to center field putting Kalamazoo up 2-0.
St. Mary's cut the lead in half in the second, but K blew the game open with a four hit, three run fourth inning. The Belles cut the lead to 5-4 in the fifth but failed to score in the final two innings.
Sophomore Victoria Najacht picked up her second MIAA victory to improve to 2-3 on the season. Junior Taylor Clements went the final 2.2 innings earning a save.
"Victoria [Najacht] and Taylor [Clements] both work very hard," Mattice said. "They are smart pitchers and just flat out compete."
In the loss, Saint Mary's scored four runs in the top of the first (three unearned) and added three more runs in the top of the third to put the game out of reach.
Junior Maddy Sinkovich went 3-4 in the game including a two-run home run down the left field line in the bottom of the sixth. The blast was the first at the new Kalamazoo Softball Field. In both games combined, Sinkovich tallied 6-8 including a home run and four runs batted in.
"She [Sinkovich] was just a little excited about that," said Mattice. "We kept telling her all the hard work is going to pay off. It's awesome to see that happen."
Kalamazoo improves to 7-15 on the season as well as picking up its second conference victory. The Hornets return to action April 21 for a home doubleheader against Defiance (Ohio). First pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m.