WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Kalamazoo College softball team continued its spring break trip with two more games against Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Middlebury on Monday afternoon (Mar. 20). The Hornets fell in both games, 9-0 in six innings to the Blue Gold and 9-6 to the Panthers.
GAME 1 - Wisconsin-Eau Claire 9, Kalamazoo 0 (6 innings)
The Blue Gold the first two runs of the game in the first inning on a single up the middle and did not look back in the defeat over the Hornets. Another run came in the second inning on another RBI single, and then the bats went quiet until the fifth when the fourth run was scored on a solo home run. Finally, the big inning came in the sixth as five runs crossed the plate to clinch the run-rule victory.
Sam Moss (3-2) started in the circle and lasted five and two-thirds innings, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 13 hits, a walk, and a Kalamazoo defensive error. Cecilia Schihl recorded the final out after one unearned run was scored.
Lizzy Rottenberk, Lucy Hart, Brynna Garden, and Schihl recorded a hit each, while Bella Caza also reached via a walk.
GAME 2 - Middlebury 9, Kalamazoo 6
Kalamazoo struck first in the first inning as Hart doubled off the fence in straight-away center field, and Moss blasted a two-run home run to left center for her second of the season. After that, the Panthers put together a six-run second inning to take a four-run lead. Five singles and a wild pitch brought the runs home for MC.
The Hornets got one run back in the third after Middlebury made an error with the bases loaded and Garden dashed for the plate. However, the Panthers returned the favor in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double to left field.
Kalamazoo got back in the game with a three-run fourth inning to cut the deficit to one. After the Hornets recorded two quick outs, Hart sent a solo home run over the left field fence for her third of the year. Moss followed with a walk and a stolen base to put a runner in scoring position. Then, Garden doubled to left center to switch places with Moss and advanced to third on a wild pitch in the next at-bat. Finally, Caza brought in Garden for the final run on a single to center field.
Middlebury created some cushion in the fifth with a two-run home run to left center for a three-run advantage. This would be the final score of the ball game.
Jordan Cook (2-3) totaled two and a third innings for the Hornets after recording the first five outs and then finishing the last two outs. Cook allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk. Schihl hit the mound again, going three and two-thirds innings. She surrendered three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out a pair.
Hart was 2-4 at the plate with a double, home run, two runs scored, and an RBI. Garden also collected two hits, including a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Moss and Caza got on base three times each on a hit and two walks, with Moss driving in two and Caza one.
The Hornets will continue their spring break trip with two more games on Tuesday (Mar. 21) against Wesleyan and Wisconsin-Stevens Point.