Winter Haven, Fla. — On Sunday, February 26, the Adrian College softball team defeated Neumann University 13-2 and Moravian University 6-2. With the two victories, the softball team secured its first 2-0 start since the 2020 season.
Game One
The women's softball team had little difficulty taking care of business in Sunday's opener against Numann University, as the Bulldogs would record 13 runs off of 12 hits to begin play in the Sunshine State. Sophomore Macee Schang was awarded the victory Sunday after posting 11 strikeouts and allowing only three hits in game one's action.
In the first, the women's softball team was hot right out the gate, scoring six runs in the opening inning. Hailey DeChalk, Savannah Godfrey, Meghan Lupu, and Mackenzie Melody recorded RBIs, with Lupu leading the Bulldogs with two RBIs in the first inning.
Later in the bottom of the third inning, the Bulldogs would repeat the first inning's run total of six, doubling their lead at 12-0. After a double from Genna Marasco, and back-to-back walks from Lupu and Melody, the bases were loaded for junior Karson Bagelmann. The Junior Bagelmann capitalized on the bases-loaded opportunity to start the scoring barrage by knocking one to left field. Bagelmann would drive in Marasco and advance the two remaining runners. Brynn McKay, DeChalk, and Maggie Leveille followed up with a single, a walk, and another single, to increase their shutout to 11-0. DeChalk capped off the six-run inning by stealing home, to put the Bulldogs up by their largest margin of the game at 12.
After allowing two runs in the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs would tack on their 13th and final run in the bottom half of the inning. After McKay grounded out to third, Flesia Borck scored the final run of the game, increasing Adrian College's lead to 11 in the process.
Top Dawgs
During the first game, six individual Bulldogs recorded a stolen base. Lupu would lead all players with a game-high two stolen bases. The duo of Bagelmann and McKay led all players with three hits each, to combine 6-8 in game one's victory.
Game Two
The Bulldogs would see a closer battle in their final game of Sunday's doubleheader against Moravian University. After allowing a run in the bottom of the second, the softball team would face their first deficit of the season. The Bulldogs responded swiftly, countering Moravian's run in the inning prior. During the top of the third, after reaching first off of a single, Bagelmann would steal second with two outs. With DeChalk at the plate, she would advance her teammate to third after knocking a hard ground ball single. With Leveille at the plate, both Bagelmann and DeChalk would steal bases, with DeChalk tying the game at one run apiece.
Later in the fifth inning, knotted up at one with two outs remaining, Bagelmann and McKay notched back-to-back singles. With DeChalk up to bat, she would single on a line drive to center field, scoring Bagelmann and McKay in the process. Later in the inning with two outs, Ava Ferrarelli capped off the scoring with a home run, driving in herself and DeChalk to increase the Bulldogs lead to 5-1 heading into the bottom half of the inning.
After allowing a run in the sixth inning, the softball team would tack on their final run of the day in the top of the seventh. Facing two outs, with Johnson on third, Lupu would reach first after a fielding error by Moravian University. With Melody at the plate, Johnson would take advantage of Moravian's miscues and stole home, putting the Bulldogs up 6-2 to cap off the second win of the day for the women's softball team.
Top Dawgs
Bagelmann led all players with three hits in game two and recorded a game-high two stolen bases. Additionally, Abbi Patton picked up her first win of the season, after allowing only one earned run in seven innings.
Historical Notes
In their first season with the women's softball program, head coach Kaylee Fox and her assistant Hannah Kampmann have led the Adrian College softball program to a 2-0 record to begin the season. The back-to-back wins solidified for the fourth time since 2011, that the Adrian College softball program would start the regular season 2-0. With their 13-2 blowout against Neumann University, the Bulldogs have now won three straight against the Knights and take a 4-2 all-time series lead. Additionally, Sunday afternoon the Bulldogs won their first game ever versus Moravian University and now trail the all-time series one game to two.
Up Next
The Bulldogs are slated for yet another double header tomorrow in Winter Haven, Florida. Game one will take place at 9:00 AM versus Saint Mary's University (Minn.), with game two following at 11:30 AM against Cabrini University.
