The Dordt University softball team began its spring break trip with a pair of close losses in games played today in Clermont, Fla. The Defenders lost to (RV) Bellevue 2-0 and then fell to Judson (lll.) in extra-innings, 6-5.
Dordt is now 10-4 this season and will play a doubleheader against Warner tomorrow (Wednesday, March 8) at 11am/1pm.
Game One: 2-0 loss to (RV) Bellevue
The Defenders came up short in its first game of the day, falling to Bellevue 2-0 in a rematch of a game played two weeks ago in Sioux Center at the American State Bank Sports Complex.
Abby Kraemer (3-3) pitched outstanding, limiting the Bruins to four hits and two runs in six innings. The senior allowed just one baserunner after the first inning, a harmlesss 2-out single in the fifth. Kraemer struck out seven and did not allow a walk.
Bellevue scored both runs in the bottom of the first inning on three hits. Reese Floro led off with a single and came around to score on the next at-bat, a double hit by Ati Rodriguez. Following a strikeout, Lauren Jurek drove in Rodriguez with a one-out single.
The Defenders outhit Bellevue 6-4, led by
Aurora Tyson and
Ella Koster with two hits each.
Lauren Steenstra and
Brooklynn Cox both added singles.
Cory Carrillo (2-1) earned the win, striking out 14 Defenders in the full seven innings.
Game Two: 6-5 (8 innings) loss to Judson
Playing in their first extra-inning game of the season, Dordt lost to Judson 6-5 (8 innings) on a walk-off sacrifice fly hit by the Eagles in the bottom of the eighth.
Tied 5-5 heading into the eighth inning, Dordt had a runner at third with two outs but was unable to score the go-ahead run in their half inning. With Judson pinch runner Braly Wiser placed at second to start the bottom of the eighth, the Eagles put down a successful bunt to get Wiser to third. Lexie Knowles followed with sacrifice fly hit to left field that scored Wiser for the win.
Dordt totaled seven hits, six singles and a double, off Judson pitchers.
Ivy Terpstra went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI and was the lone Defender with multiple hits.
Emma Groen went 1-for-4 with a double and RBI while
Chandler Schemper,
Ella Koster,
Taylor Knaack and
Brooklynn Cox all had singles.
Down 4-0 after a four-run, second inning by Judson, the Defenders rallied, beginning with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Terpstra drew a leadoff walk and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch during an at-bat by Knaack.
Judson matched the Defenders run in the bottom of the fourth to go up 5-1. Dordt responded with a four-run, six-hit, top of the fifth inning to tie the score and force extra innings. Singles by Cox and Schemper to start the rally were followed by a successful bunt put down by
Karli Olsen and double from Groen to plate Schemper and make the score 5-2. Terpstra stepped to the plate and delivered an RBI single that scored Olsen and put Groen at third. Following a pitching change, Koster and Knaack hit singles that scored Groen and Koster, respectively, and tied the score 5-5.
Alexa Kopaska (2-1) pitched the final 4.1 innings, giving up four hits and one earned run.
Hailey Wilken went the first 3.1 innings where she gave up six hits and five runs before being replaced with one out in the fourth.
Kennedy Dietz earned the win for Judson in relief, limiting Dordt to two hits and one run over the final 3.2 innings. Stephanie Hause totaled three hits for the Eagles and Gigi Velazquez drove in two runs.
