Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 KALAMAZOO, MICH. – Manchester University got its weekend off to a solid start Saturday, April 25, posting a road non-conference sweep of Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association foe Kalamazoo College.
The Spartans, halting a brief four-game skid, used offense and plenty of it to spark a 10-2, six-inning win and 9-8 victory at KC's Softball Field. MU stepped back above the .500 mark overall (15-14) and against MIAA competition (3-2) with the outcome.
In the opener, junior outfielder Ashley Stahl (Wheatland, Ind.) clouted a home run as part of a four-run second inning, while junior catcher Kaile Niezgodski (South Bend, Ind.) blasted a grand slam during a five-run sixth inning rally that helped end the contest early. Freshman outfielder Mikayla Deisler (Goshen, Ind.) got involved with the extra-base hit parade lacing a two-run double during the second inning rally.
The host Hornets (9-23) got out of the gate fast in the nightcap, taking a 4-1 advantage after four innings. However, Manchester University's bats finally got to Kalamazoo College starting pitcher Erin DuRoss in the fifth, posting six runs. A two-run double from senior shortstop Emily Willmann (Montpelier, Ind.) followed by another run-scoring double from Niezgodski highlighted the frame. Taking a 7-4 lead which increased to 9-4 with single tallies in the sixth and seventh, the visitors managed to stave off a furious home comeback in the bottom of the seventh, as KC plated four runs and had the potential tying run on second before freshman pitcher Madisyn Walter (Hanna, Ind.) induced a ground out to end the game.
The Black and Gold return home to begin a four-game homestand Sunday, April 26, that wraps up the regular season. Rose-Hulman visits Spartan Field for the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference finale for both teams that features a 2 p.m. first pitch.
NOTES: Senior starting pitcher Ashlea Nash (Gas City, Ind.) gained her 11th win of the season with a complete-game effort, her ninth of the year. Nash struck out two and allowed just a walk in the span in route to setting a new personal season high for wins … Freshman Mallorie Jennings (Bourbon, Ind.) registered two innings of shutout ball in the second game to pick up the win.
