DRAGONS EARN PAIR OF RULE-RULE OPENING-DAY VICTORIES

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Freshman Aspen Goetz hit a grand slam in Game 1 and sophomore Haley Miller had a career-high four hits in the second game as the Hutchinson Community College softball team opened the 2022 season on Saturday with a doubleheader sweep of the Ottawa University JV on Saturday at Fun Valley.

Playing the earliest opening day in the program's 37-year history, the Blue Dragons put together a pair of five-inning run-rule wins of 10-0 and 14-4. The Blue Dragons won their season opener for the third-straight season.

Goetz's grand slam was part of a six-run second inning that gave the Blue Dragons a 10-0 in the opening game.

Miller had a perfect doubleheader for the Blue Dragons, going a perfect 6 for 6 Saturday. She was 2 for 2 with an RBI triple and two runs scores in the first game. Miller then went 4 for 4 with a triple, 3 RBIs and three runs scores. She also bunted for three hits.

The Blue Dragons combined for 24 runs and 28 hits in the doubleheader.

GAME 1 RECAP
The Blue Dragon offense got off to a fast start in the opening game, scoring four runs in the first inning and six more in the second inning.

The Blue Dragons had 10 total hits with freshman leadoff hitter Emma Dougherty and Miller each collecting two hits. Goetz's grand slam in the second inning and a first-inning double by Natalie Bevan were the only extra-base hits in the game.

Sophomore Madison Grimes had an RBI single. Bevan had an RBI double and bases-loaded walk. Carley Sterneker had an RBI with a bases-loaded walk and sophomore Easton Swanson had an RBI single.

Sophomore pitcher Sadie Loney (1-0) earned her 11th career victory, working the first two innings. She had two strikeouts and two walks. Loney and two relievers combined for a shutout. Morgan Pennycuff struck out two and allowed a hit in two innings. Riley Wertz struck out three and walked two in one inning.

GAME 2 RECAP
Miller and Sterneker both went 4 for 4 in the second game to lead the Blue Dragons' 18-hit attack.

The Blue Dragons trail 4-2 entering the bottom of the second inning and then exploded for nine runs in the second. The Dragons sent 14 batters to the plate in the second and collected nine hits in the frame.

The Blue Dragons outhit Ottawa 18-5.

Dougherty, Grimes and Swanson all had two hits in the game. Miller drove in three runs, while Bevan, Sterneker and Swanson had two RBIs apiece. Miller's triple and doubles by Sterneker, Allie Stipsits and sophomore Lexie Pitcher were the only extra-base hits of the game.

Freshman Kiersten Weitze (1-0) earned the pitching victory with two innings of scoreless relief work. She allowed only one walk and struck out one.

Freshman Emily Munson started and worked the first two innings. She allowed five hits and four earned runs while striking out three and walking one. Wertz pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning – getting a diving catch from Sterneker in left field for the second out – to close out the game.

The Blue Dragons are scheduled to play host to Independence at 2 p.m. on Friday at Fun Valley.