FORT MYERS, Fla. – For the first time this season, the Kenyon College softball team struggled to put up runs during two losses to Penn State University-Altoona and Crown College (Minn). The Ladies were defeated by 5-2 scores in both games and dropped their record to 8-4.
GAME ONE
Against PSU-Altoona, Kenyon was 1-of-11 advancing runners and just 1-of-6 with runners in scoring position. Additionally, the team tied for its season low with four hits.
The Ladies were retired in order to start the game and the Lions followed with two runs.
With first and third base occupied and two outs, Olivia Miller singled to center field which pushed Abby Showers across home plate. In the next at-bat, a Kenyon error at second base allowed another run to score.
The Lions nearly blew the game wide open in the second. There were bases loaded for three straight batters, however, Kenyon only gave up a run on a walk.
There were two more bases-loaded walks issued by the Ladies' staff in the fifth. Heading to the sixth, Kenyon trailed 5-0.
Madi Maldonado and
Grace Finn provided Kenyon its two runs in the sixth. Maldonado drove in
Nicole Horita on a grounder while Finn singled up the middle plating
Amanda Coyle.
GAME TWO
Kenyon was a bit better offensively in game two as it held a 2-1 lead after three frames. However, the Ladies were not able to must any more runs after that as Crown scored three of its own to earn its first win of the season.
In the first,
Britny Patterson drove in Maldonado with a two-out single. The Storm tied the game in the second, though, as Marissa Carter drove in Lottie Ellis.
Knotted at one, Patterson came through again in the third. Another single allowed Maldonado to score for the second time and that pushed the Ladies' lead to 2-1.
After that, though, Kenyon manage to put just two base-runners in scoring position.
During the fifth frame, Crown scored three times to go in front for good. There were four hits by the Storm in the inning including an RBI single from Cassidy Valenzuela. Two batters later, Laryssa Vik smacked a two-run double which plated two more.
The Ladies were not able to threaten after that as Crown pitcher Olivia Christopherson limited Kenyon to just two walks and a hit the rest of the way. She also struck out four Ladies batters.
Kenyon has an off day tomorrow. Its next games come March 11 when it faces SUNY Canton (0-0) and Wilmington College (0-0) starting at 1 p.m.
