Kalie Strain
Park University’s softball team had a rough start to their 2018 season with two losses in their home opening double-header against the Dordt College Defenders.. The Pirates lost the non-conference match up 5-7 in game one and 1-2 in game two.

In the top of the first inning the Defenders earned four hits off of Park’s senior starting pitcher Shelby Bendure. Dordt College scored on a single hit to senior second basemen Annali Cleek. The Defenders picked up another run when Park’s junior catcher Madison Klein tried to catch the Defender’s Ashley Williams stealing second base.

In the bottom of the first the Pirates earned four hits off of Defender’s pitcher Tianna Top to tack on two runs. Junior outfielder Kaylin Brooks earned a single and stole second base on the first pitch to senior outfielder Courtney Seymour which moved her into scoring position. Seymour grounded out while moving Brooks to third. Brooks then scored on a double by junior infielder Katie Carr to deep left center field. Carr was then brought home by a single by Cleek.

In the second inning the Defenders earned two hits and one more run on an RBI groundout to the pitcher’s mound. The Park Pirates earned no hits in the bottom of the second. In the top of the fourth inning the Dordt Defenders earned one run on three hits.

The bottom of the fifth inning looked as if it might be Park’s time to fight back, with four hits and two runs. Their momentum was cut short by a Defenders’ double play at second and first to end the inning.

The top of the sixth inning saw Pirate’s junior pitcher Kendal Cox come in to relieve Bendure. The Defenders earned two more runs, ultimately winning 7-5.

Game two was a tighter game between the two competitors. In game two, freshman utility player and pitcher Lexie Duncan pitched all seven innings and only allowed two earned runs. Dordt College got on the board early after a first inning throwing error. The Defenders wouldn’t score again until the third inning thanks to a single to center field. The Pirates began their rally down 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh after a single to left field from Klein allowed sophomore outfielder Mallory Hughson to score. Park would fall short, however. Their 2-1 loss dropped them to 0-4 on their short season.

The team’s upcoming home games will be a double-header against Williams Baptist College starting at 2 p.m. on March 16. The Pirates will also be hosting a double-header on March 17 against Freed-Hardeman University starting at noon.