KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College softball team defeated The University of Olivet 8-0 in six innings and 10-3 at home on Wednesday afternoon for its first conference sweep of the season.
Game One
Kalamazoo scored a run in nearly every inning, with a run in the first, third, fifth, and sixth innings and four runs in the fourth. The Hornets mostly played small ball in the first game, with eight of the 10 hits being singles and causing havoc on the base paths.
The story of the game was Maddy Vrba, who got the first 15 outs against the Comets via the strikeout and carried a no-hitter into the final inning. The 15 strikeouts set a new program record for strikeouts in a game, previously set by Erin DuRoss, who had 14 against Potsdam St. in 2014. In six innings, Vrba allowed just two hits and three walks.
At the plate, Landrie Fridsma, Jordan Wesaw, and Bella Caza were 2-3. Wesaw collected three RBI, with Lizzy Rottenberk, Jaycee Rider, Fridsma, and Caza picking up the other four.
Rottenberk stole two bases and set a new single-season record with 24 this season, breaking Querubin Dubois' record of 20 (2015). She also scored two runs and has 96 in her career, breaking Andrea MacMichael's (2016-19) record of 94.
Game Two
Kalamazoo was consistent again in the second game, scoring a run in the second, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings while scoring two in the first, third, and fourth innings. Olivet got on the board in game two with a run in the first, sixth, and seventh innings. The Hornets brought a little more pop to the plate in game two, with five of the 15 hits going for extra bases.
Jordan Cook was solid in the circle, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk with four strikeouts.
Leading the charge at the plate was Brynna Garden, who went 3-4 with two RBI. Mackenzie Moore and Bella Caza also had two RBI, while Lizzy Rottenberk, Jordan Wesaw, Emma Newlove, Shelby Bennett, and Moore had multi-hit efforts.
In the extra-bases department, Newlove hit two doubles, Wesaw and Moore had a double each, and Bennett had a solo home run.
Up Next
Kalamazoo is scheduled to host Aquinas in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 18, at 3 p.m.