The Dordt University softball team scored 24 runs in a doubleheader sweep over Hastings (Neb.) in the Defenders GPAC opener played this afternoon at the
American State Bank Sports Complex in Sioux Center, Iowa.
The Defenders are 2-0 in the GPAC, 13-16 overall, heading into Saturday's doubleheader against Doane. Hastings drops to 2-4 in the conference, 14-12 overall.
Game One: 11-3 win (6 innings)
Ashtyn Grissom drove in a career-best five runs in leading the Defenders to an 11-3, six-inning win in game one.
Grissom went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, including a 2-run home run in the Defenders 4-run fifth inning and a 2-run single in her teams 4-run sixth. Both
Brooklynn Cox and
Annabelle Hensley matched their teammate with three hits each as the Defenders totaled a season-high 16 hits.
The Defenders pushed across three runs in the bottom of the first inning on four consecutive hits. Cox put down a bunt for a base-hit with one out, stole second and scored on an RBI double by
Chloe Kreuz. Hensley followed with an RBI double, scoring Kreuz, and Grissom roped an RBI single down the left field line that scored Hensley.
With the Defenders still leading 3-0, Hastings came back to tie the game with a three-spot in the top of the third. Ana Medeiros delivered the Broncos first two runs run with an RBI single to score both Kaylee Pinneo and Lauren Lee after a Defenders error. Two batters later, Katyn Kappler tied the game with an RBI double that scored Medeiros.
Dordt grabbed the lead for good with a four-run fifth inning with Hensley delivering a two-run double followed by Grissom's second home run of the season.
Now up 8-4, the Defenders ended the game with another four runs scored in the sixth. Five straight Defenders reached base on four hits and a Hastings error, led by an RBI single by Hensley and a two-run single from Grissom.
Sierra Pirkey ended the game with a sacrifice fly that scored pinch runner
Taylor Horsham.
Chloe Kreuz (6-9) earned the win and pitched her 12th complete game of the season, giving up six hits and one earned run in six innings. The sophomore struck out five and walked three.
Kiera Brack (8-5) surrendered 11 hits and seven earned runs in five innings of work. Lauren Lee was the lone Hastings player with multiple hits, going 2-for-2 with a walk.
Game Two: 13-5 win (5 innings)
Chloe Kreuz and
Lauren Steenstra homered and
Bailey Sample pitched 4.2 scoreless innings in leading the Defenders to a 13-5 win in game two.
The Defender bats continued to be red-hot as they totaled 15 hits, six for extra-bases. Three Dordt players, Kreuz, Steenstra and
Brooklynn Cox, accounted for three hits each with Kreuz (4) and Steenstra (3) leading the way in RBIs.
Dordt fell behind 5-0 after the Broncos plated five runs in the top of the first inning. Three of the first four Hastings batters walked and Ana Medeiros cleared the bases with a one-out grand slam for her third home run of the season. Lexie Mudloff followed with a triple down the right field line and scored on a Defenders throwing error.
The Defenders responded with a six-run, bottom of the first inning where the first five Dordt batters all reached on a base hit. Kreuz delivered the first Defenders run with an RBI single while Hensley and
Addison Stephenson hit RBi doubles to cut the lead down to one. Steenstra then hit a two-run home run, her fourth of the season, to give Dordt the lead for good.
Dordt extended its lead on a two-run home run by Kreuz in the second and pushed across four runs in the third to take a 12-5 lead.
Brynn Torrenga, Cox and Kreuz all had RBIs in the four-run third inning.
Steenstra drove in the Defenders final run with a double in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Sample (4-3) earned her fourth win of the season as the sophomore gave up three hits and walked two over the final 4.2 innings.
Angelina Lockhart (3-5) allowed six hits and six runs in 1/3 of an inning while Kassidy Beavers and Dani Sitts pitched the final 3.2 innings.Hastings was limited to five hits, two by Kaylee Pinneo.
