CLERMONT, Fla. – The Kalamazoo College softball team kicked off their spring break trip in Clermont, Florida, sweeping their first-day doubleheader. The Hornets took the opening game against Salem State 13-0 in five innings and game two against Smith 15-9.
The Hornets are now 3-1 on the season.
Game One – W, 13-0 (5 innings)
Kalamazoo jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning.
Landrie Fridsma doubled to left field, bringing in
Brenna Fisher, followed by
Bella Caza's single up the middle to drive in Fridsma.
Emma Newlove hit her first home run of the season, a two-run shot that gave the Hornets a 4-0 to start the game.
The Hornets sealed the game in the fourth inning with an eight-run rally, extending their lead to 13-0.
Jordan Wesaw hit her second double of the night, driving in Fridsma, Fisher, and
Lewie Wilks. Caza followed with a double to right-center, bringing in Wesaw to make it 9-0.
Ella Neumann capped off the inning with the first home run of her career, a three-run blast over the left-field wall, scoring
Emma Newlove and
Alyssa Hinkley.
Fridsma went a perfect 3-3 with a double and an RBI. Caza, Fisher, and Wesaw each contributed two hits in the Hornets' win over the Vikings. Wesaw tallied two doubles and four RBIs, while Caza added a double and two RBIs.
Maddy Vrba took the mound for the Hornets, allowing just three hits while striking out six and walking two. Vrba earned her first win of the season, improving to 1-0 in the circle.
Game Two – W, 15-9
The Hornets jumped out to an early 6-0 lead by the second inning, with
Landrie Fridsma sparking the offense in the first. Fridsma tripled to left to drive in
Brenna Fisher, then score on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.
Jaycee Rider scored on a bunt put down by
Lewie Wilks, who reached on a fielder's choice and came all the way around to score on a throwing error. Fridsma continued her hitting streak as she doubled down the left field line to drive in Fisher, followed by a single from
Bella Caza to drive in Fridsma.
Smith fought back, cutting the deficit to 6-3 with a two-RBI single up the middle and a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the second.
The Hornets responded back with a Wesaw triple to drive in Fridsma and Fisher. Wesaw scored on a wild pitch to take a 9-3 lead.
Smith kept the pressure on, adding three runs in the third to close the gap to 10-6.
In the fifth, Kalamazoo added on three runs to go up by six. Fridsma notched her second triple of the game, bringing in Fisher before scoring on a throwing error. The Pioneers battled back once again, pulling within three at 12-9.
The Hornets were able to put the game away in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by Caza to score one and a single up the middle by
Maddie Potts to add another two runs.
Maddie Potts recorded the win in the pitching circle, allowing just three hits while striking out three and walking two.
The Hornets return to action tomorrow (Friday, March 21
st) as they take on SUNY New Paltz at 9:00 a.m. followed by UW LaCrosse at 11:15 a.m.