CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Eckerd softball team did all its damage in the first inning and
Nikole Van Gennep did the rest in the circle as the Tritons closed the NFCA Leadoff Classic with a 3-1 win over Hillsdale (Mich.) College.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Eckerd 3, Hillsdale 1
Records: Eckerd 4-5, Hillsdale 2-3
WP: Van Gennep (3-2)Â
LP: Weidinger (1-2)
KEY MOMENTS
- Van Gennep led off the game with a single, the first of four hits in the top of the first. Kaylin Kramer followed with a one-out single and Skylar Redish walked to load the bases with two outs. Van Gennep scored on a wild pitch with Valerie Holguin at the plate before Holguin drove in Kramer and Redish with a single to left center.
- Van Gennep retired the first nine batters she faced, but Hillsdale began to lock in against her the second time through the order. The Chargers opened the fourth inning with back-to-back singles and both runners advanced 60 feet on a fielder's choice before Sam Catron drove in Hillsdale's first run on a single to left. Â The Chargers still had the bases loaded with two outs but Van Gennep got out of the inning without further damage.
- Hillsdale threatened again in the fifth putting two runners on with one out but Van Gennep retired the next two batters to end the threat. Eckerd stranded two runners in the top of the seventh but it didn't matter as Van Gennep retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to seal the win.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- The Tritons had no problems putting runners on base with nine hits, two walks, and two hit batters, but stranded 11.
- After striking out 16 batters in her first two starts of the weekend, Van Gennep did not record a strikeout against Hillsdale. She scattered six hits over seven innings and stranded six.
- Van Gennep, Hannah Famiano, and Holguin each had two hits.
UP NEXT
The Tritons open the home and conference schedule this weekend hosting the University of Tampa on Friday at 7:00 PM for the first of three games.
