Sioux Center, Iowa — Abby Kraemer threw a season-high 16 strikeouts as the Dordt Defenders shut down the Midland offense in a 2-0 win on Saturday.
Kraemer struck out the side in the first two innings before the Dordt offense got on the board in the bottom of the 2nd. Brooklyn Van Oort opened the inning with a leadoff single followed by an Emma Groen base hit that left two runners on. Cassie Van Otterloo then hit a one-out single past the shortstop when Van Oort was caught at home trying to score. Then, with runners on the corners, Groen was sent home on a wild pitch to give the Defenders a 1-0 lead.
The pitchers were dealing through the middle innings before Midland threatened to score in the 6th. Emily Prai led with a double and an error on the next play put two Midland runners on base. With no outs, Kraemer struck out two and forced a pop out to keep the Warriors at zero.
Dordt gained an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th as Karli Olsen started with a double and Chandler Schemper reached on an error. Then, with the bases loaded after a fielder’s choice, Ella Koster drew a two-out walk to make the score 2-0.
Only one hit was allowed in the final inning, giving Dordt the shutout win in game one.
Abby Kraemer threw 16 strikeouts in a complete game shutout
Emma Groen was 2-3 at the plate and scored a run
Cassie Van Otterloo, Brooklyn Van Oort, and Karli Olsen each recorded a hit
Midland’s Aliyah Rincon threw a no-hitter and struck out 12 batters as the Warriors won 5-0 to split Saturday’s doubleheader with Dordt.
The Warriors got on the board first when Emily Prai tripled to help Sheridan Wayne score. Rincon then singled up the middle to send Prai across the plate and lead 2-0.
Dordt had their first baserunner on in the 5th when Emma Groen drew a walk, but Rincon retired the next two batters. Down 5-0 in the 7th, Karli Olsen also reached on a hit by pitch and then advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Midland scored a run in each of the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings on their way to the win.
Taylor Knaack pitched 4.0 innings with a strikeout
Hailey Wilkin struck out two in 2.0 innings pitched
Aliyah Rincon went 2-4 at the plate while throwing 12 strikeouts in the circle
Briar Cliff will come to Sioux Center to face Dordt on Monday, April 4 at 4:00 PM.
