Thanks to Mya Lorenz for the pictures
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – North Park softball grabbed their first win of the season with an 8-1 rout of Gallaudet before finishing their second day in Florida with a rare tie, 6-6 against Hamline on Monday afternoon.
GALLAUDET
The Vikings scored at least a run in each of the first four innings against Gallaudet. Emily Reczek showcased the biggest swing with a bases clearing double to right-center field in the first frame before run scoring singles by Isa Santos and Alyssa Malicki and groundout by Katie Patton gave the Vikings three more runs in the fourth. Between those two innings, Santos singled home Kathryn Keehn on an infield single in the second and an infield error by Gallaudet in the third scored Patton.Â
Meanwhile, in the circle, Malicki showcased one of the best outings of her career. In her seven-inning complete game, she allowed just two hits, no earned runs, and fanned 12 batters. A dozen strikeouts are the second-highest single-game total for NPU since Malicki punched out 13 against Concordia (IL) on March 28, 2022.
Cruising to victory, North Park secured the 8-1 win.
HAMLINE
Next, ominously facing the Hamline Noreasters, North Park used a big four-run fourth inning to hold a 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the inning. That high-powered inning featured five hits, all the single base variety, before Kayla Lorenz skipped a two-run double down the left field line to plate Santos and Eden Baker.
However, the Noreasters got three back in the bottom of the fourth inning, tying the game up 5-5. Hamline added another run in the sixth before Tan's two-out single to left-center field brought home Reczek, forcing extra innings.
Maya Lafnear was placed on second to start the inning as Viking leadoff hitter Baker was ready to put NPU ahead. Unfortunately, before they had the chance to, the weather sirens went off, signaling the end of the game.
North Park (1-2-1) will play two more games tomorrow, March 14, against Amherst and Farmingdale State before enjoying a day off. First pitch against Amherst at Fortune Road is set for 9:00 AM ET.
