Kissimmee, Florida — The Dordt Softball teams split their Thursday games in Kissimmee, Florida. The Defenders took game 1 against Bellevue 4-0, and fell to St. Thomas 8-4.
Dordt earned their 10th win on the season following a strong pitching performance combined with opportune offense.
Abby Kraemer struck out the first three Bellevue hitters to begin the game, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Dordt picked up their first run in the bottom of the 4th inning, as Jessica Flaherty stole a base and was sent home on Kenzie Cunard’s single to center field, giving the Defenders a 1-0 lead.
In the 5th inning, Rachel Evavold doubled and Dordt had two runners in scoring position with one out. Brooklyn Van Oort came in to pinch hit, sending the ball over the fence for her first home run of the season.
Dordt held on to their 4-0 lead the rest of the way, and Kraemer only allowed one baserunner in the final two innings to secure the no-hitter and a win for the Defenders.
Abby Kraemer threw a no-hitter with 7 strikeouts in 7 innings pitched
Brooklyn Van Oort hit a 3-run home run. Kenzie Cunard was 2-4 with 1 RBI
In the second game of the afternoon, Dordt played St. Thomas in a non-conference, neutral-site matchup. With two outs in the bottom of the 1st inning, Rachel Evavold singled to center field to drive in the first run of the game.
In the 2nd and 3rd innings, St. Thomas took the lead, scoring four runs on seven hits.
Dordt earned a run back in the top of the 4th, as Brooklyn Van Oort used a leadoff single and later advanced home on Kenzie Cunard’s single to center. St. Thomas was able to get out of the inning with two Defender runners in scoring position.
Going into the 6th inning down 8-2, Dordt looked to string together a series of hits and reduce the deficit. The Defenders were able to put the ball in play with three hits and scored two runs. With the bases loaded, Hannah Sikkema hit a double right field that allowed Kenzie Cunard and Jessica Oules to score and make it an 8-4 game. Following a pitching change for St. Thomas, the top of the 6th came to a close and a 1-2-3 inning in the 7th concluded the game.
Kenzie Cunard was 3-4 with 1 RBI. Hannah Sikkema was 2-4 with 2 RBI
Dordt will play Friday vs. Ave Maria at 10:00 am and vs. Calumet at 12:15 pm.
