DRAGONS' 12-GAME WIN STREAK ENDS IN SPLIT WITH COLBY
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The 13th-ranked Hutchinson Community College softball team split Saturday's road doubleheader against the Colby Trojans, Colby taking game one on a walk-off walk 7-6 and Hutchinson winning game two 8-5.
The loss in game one ended a 12-game winning streak dating back to March 8. The Blue Dragons now find themselves in a tie for first place in the Jayhawk Conference with Butler at 16-2 in league play. The two rivals face off in a critical doubleheader Wednesday in El Dorado.
GAME 1 RECAP
Colby loaded the bases on and scored the game-winning run on a walk by Kaylee Sheets to win game one 7-6 Saturday in Colby. The Trojans loaded the bases before a walk, hit by pitch, and walk gave the Trojans the stunning upset win over the Blue Dragons.
Trailing 5-2 heading into the top of the seventh, the Blue Dragons scored four runs to take the lead for the moment. Ella Dougherty scored on an error on the throw following a fly ball to right field by Aspen Goetz. Then, Alexis Mastin singled and scored Olivia Sandoval to make it a 5-4 lead for Colby.
Following a flyout by Allie Stipsits, Jaeleigh Darnell drove a line drive to left field for a two-run double to give the Blue Dragons the lead 6-5.
While trailing 3-0 after two innings, Madison Grimes got the Blue Dragons on the board with her 19th-career and third home run of the season, a two-run shot that make it 3-2 Colby.
GAME 2 RECAP
Coming off being named the Jayhawk Conference and NJCAA national player of the week, Aspen Goetz helped the Blue Dragons to an 8-5 bounce-back win over Colby.
Goetz homered on a two-run home run in the top of the third inning, giving the Blue Dragons the lead 3-1. The very next innings, Alle Stipsits hit a solo home run to make it 4-2, Blue Dragons.
Korri Lies added another run with an RBI double in the top of the fourth with a line drive to center field.
After Colby added two runs in the bottom of the fifth, Grimes was drilled by a pitch with runners in scoring position and brought home Tamara Lozoya, who was pinch-running for Riley Wertz. The next at-bat, Goetz singled on a ground ball to left field, scoring Lies and Sandoval to make it 8-4.
Morgan Pennycuff got the start, pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing six hits, four runs and striking out three Trojans batters. Emily Munson finished off the game from the circle, allowing just one run on three hits and striking out three.
The Blue Dragons out-hit the Trojans 13-9.