LAKE FANS 13 AS NO. 17 DRAGONS SWEEP SEASON OPENER
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
OTTAWA - Hutchinson Community College freshman Dakota Lake had an impressive debut with 13 strikeouts over five innings to help the No. 17-ranked Blue Dragons complete a season-opening sweep of the Ottawa University JV Braves on Thursday at the Dick Peters Sports Complex in Ottawa.
The Blue Dragons won their fifth-straight season opener as Alexis Mastin drove in three runs in a 6-1 victory in Game 1. That was followed by Lake's memorable debut as Hutchinson completed the sweep with a run-rule 8-0 victory over the Braves in six innings.
The 2-0 Blue Dragons travel to Neosho County and NEO next Friday and Saturday in Chanute and Miami, Oklahoma.
GAME 2 RECAP – Hutchinson 8, Ottawa JV 0
Lake's 13-strikeout performance was the third-most strikeouts by a Blue Dragon pitcher in individual single-game history.
Over her five innings, Lake gave up only two hits with a hit batsman in her 13-strikeout performance. She had a minimum of two strikeouts in each of her fifth innings. Lake retired the final 12 batters she faced; the last six batters were all retired by strikeout. In each of her first two innings, Ottawa had runners in scoring position, but Lake ended the first with a called strikeout. After the Braves had runners a first and second to start the second inning, Lake struck out the next three batters to end the threat.
Jaala Nowlan allowed a bunt single and had a strikeout in a scoreless sixth inning.
Designated player Annie Kealey tied a Blue Dragon single-game record with three doubles, going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Kealey is the 11th Blue Dragon to have three doubles in one game, a feat last accomplished by Carley Sternecker against Hesston College on March 9, 2021.
With hits in both games on Thursday, third baseman Olivia Sandoval extended her consecutive-game hitting streak to 18 games dating back to last year. She moved past Ella Dougherty for the fourth-longest hit streak in program history. Sandoval was 3 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI in Game 2.
First baseman Brooke Backhaus was 3 for 4 in the second game with a double and two RBIs.
Leadoff hitter Bailey Backhaus and right fielder Jaeleigh Darnell both had two hits. Darnell had two doubles and drove in two runs.
GAME 1 RECAP – Hutchinson 6, Ottawa JV 1
The Blue Dragons opened the season with a three-run first inning. Mastin ripped a two-run single to score Bailey Backhaus and Sandoval. Brooke Backhaus had a sacrifice fly to give the Dragons a 3-0 lead.
Hutchinson scored all six runs in the first three innings of Game 1.
Bailey Backhaus, Brooke Backhaus and Tamara Lozoya had two hits each to lead the Blue Dragons' 10-hit attack.
Mastin drove in three runs with her two-run single in the first and sacrifice fly in the second inning.
Korri Lies pitched the first four innings to earn her first victory of the season. Lies struck out five and walked one with one hit allowed in four shutout innings.
Delaney Blakesley tossed two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Morgan Tomlinson struck out two in the seventh inning.