The 2020 Kalamazoo College softball season came to an abrupt and unexpected end on Friday, March 13 when the MIAA President's Council canceled the spring seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hornets finished the season at 1-1 overall as they split the lone series they played in at Franklin.
"Despite the extremely premature end to our season, I am so proud of the work this team put in this year," said coach Kelli Duimstra. "They came to practice every day ready to learn, work, and grow and I couldn't ask for any more than what they gave me. Team 32 was full of potential and more than capable of achieving every goal we set for ourselves. unfortunately, we didn't get the chance to prove ourselves to everyone outside of the 17 members of this team, but that doesn't take anything away from how special this team was."
During the two-game set with Franklin, the Kalamazoo pitchers were outstanding as a trio of arms combined to allow just three earned runs in 13 innings of work. Junior Sammi Luzadre began the season with a complete-game victory while striking out two and walking just one. Freshman Sam Moss and sophomore Marissa Lewinski combined to allow just two earned runs in the second game as Lewinski struck out two.
Kalamazoo had nine batters get hits during the doubleheader as Luzadre and Moss joined Lucy Hart and Anna Majewski as the quartet of Hornets to get multiple hits. Both Luzadre and Moss led the team with two RBIs while Majewski scored a pair of runs.
"My heart breaks for our players. They improved so much and deserve a better end to their season than this, but as a team, we understand the gravity of our current situation in this country and around the world and we're committed to doing our part to help. I want to thank each of my players and my assistant coaches for their incredible effort this season."
Seniors Alyssa Heitkamp and Anna Majewski left their marks on the Kalamazoo College softball program as the duo combined to play in 200 games over the course of their careers. Playing in every game the last three seasons, Majewski was a fixture in the top third of the Kalamazoo lineup as she collected 86 hits throughout her career while scoring 41 runs and driving in 39 more. Heitkamp, also an everyday player for the Hornets, committed just two errors in 65 chances in the outfield during her junior campaign.
"A special thank you and shout out to seniors Alyssa Heitkamp and Anna Majewski," added Duimstra. "Selfishly I am heartbroken that I won't get to coach them again. They are two of the best leaders I've had the privilege of coaching and their hard work behind the scenes will lead to the future success of this program. Alyssa and Anna believe in this program and the culture we're developing. Their impact will be felt in this program for years to come."