KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College softball team split a pair of games at home on Saturday, defeating Albion 7-4 before falling 6-3 to Hope.

Game 1

Albion took a 2-0 lead with a home run in the top of the opening inning.

The Hornets quickly started their own scoring effort in the bottom of the first. The inning was plagued by Briton errors that ended with four runs for Kalamazoo. Brynna Garden singled to score two runners with bases loaded to close out the frame. 

Kalamazoo scored another pair of runners in the second inning when Nina Szalkiewicz came up with a double for her first hit of the game. Kelsey Diekman and Lucy Hart also each had hits in the inning. 

Despite a potential threat from Albion in the sixth when the Britons had two runs, the Hornets held on for the win. They increased their lead in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single from Hart to score Fiona Smiegel, on base from a single to left-center. 

The Hornets tallied nine hits to Albion's eight. Kelsey Diekman and Lucy Hart each went 2-for-4 at the plate. Nina Szalkiewicz and Brynna Garden were credited with two RBI each, and Szalkiewicz hit one double. 

Lizzy Rottenberk pitched for the first five innings and picked up her first win of the season. Sammi Luzadre earned her first save after pitching the last inning and allowing no runs to score. 

Game 2

Hope scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning before Kalamazoo tied the score in the top of the third. Hope pulled ahead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth before holding Kalamazoo scoreless in the seventh to end the game.

Each team had nine hits in the game. 

Sam Moss led Kalamazoo with three hits. Lucy Hart and Lizzy Rottenberk each had two hits.

Kelsey Diekman, Hart, and Moss each drove in a run.

Up Next

Kalamazoo is scheduled to host Albion in a conference doubleheader on Tuesday, April 20.