WINTER HAVEN, FL. – The Wesleyan softball team went 0-2 in their final day in Florida for their spring break trip. They were taken down in consecutive games, first by the Hornets of Kalamazoo 4-0, then by the BlueJays of Elmhurst 7-0. In game one, the Hornets jumped out to a quick start scoring two runs in the first. They then added two more in the 3^rd to reach their total of four. Wesleyan's bats were never able to get going, only finishing with four hits. In game two, the BlueJays bats also got going quick with four runs in the top of the 2^nd. They added three more in the 4^th to get to the final score of 7-0. Wesleyan had a chance with the bases loaded in the 6^th, but could not push one across, falling 7-0. Kalamazoo moves to 6-5 with the win, Elmhurst stays unbeaten at 5-0. With the two loses Tuesday, Wesleyan moves to 8-6 heading into their home opener Saturday.
 
HIGHLIGHTS (4-0 Loss vs. Kalamazoo)

• The Cardinals threatened in the opening half-inning, getting two on. After an error, Brooklin Williams '23 delivered a single and there were two on with only one down. Kalamazoo's Sam Moss settled down and retired the next two Cardinals to get out of the top of the 1^st without giving up a run. In the bottom half, the Hornets got their bats going. They went for four hits that led to two runs, however stranded the bases loaded to keep the score at 2-0 after one
• The Hornets bats got going again in the 4^th, as they added a few insurance runs. After a leadoff double, Emma Newlove blasted a 2-run home run over the center field fence to extend their lead to four
• Pitching was dominant from both sides over the next two innings, as the two teams combined for zero hits moving into the 6^th. In the top of the 6^th the Cardinals had their best chance at making a comeback. Lizzie Marino '25 singled to open the inning, then Molly Lennon '26 singled two batters later and the Cards had two runners on with only one out. The Hornets' Moss came back, forcing two straight groundouts to end the inning. Moss finished off her impressive pitching day by putting down the Cardinals in order in the 7^th to secure the 4-0 win

NOTES:

• Kelly Baker '26 (3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 K's) came in relief of Isabella Secaira-Cotto '25 (2.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 K's) and held the Hornets scoreless. Moss finished her day with a complete game shutout, only allowing four hits
• The top four hitters in Wesleyan's lineup contributed all four hits on the day. Kalamazoo finished with nine hits on the day
• Hannah Docktor '24 (1-for-3) had the only extra base-hit of the day for the Cardinals, hitting a double. She currently leads the team in total bases with 18

 
HIGHLIGHTS (7-0 Loss vs. Elmhurst)

• After a slow first inning offensively for both sides, the BlueJays got going in the top of the 2^nd inning. They had the first five runners reach base, capped off by a 2-run single by Brenna Morley to push the lead to 3-0. After an RBI groundout to push the lead to 4-0,  Chiara O'Leary ripped a single to left field, however a solid throw home from Revi Brown '23 cut the runner down trying to score ending the inning
• The BlueJays continued to apply pressure in the box in the 4^th, adding a few insurance runs to their 4-0 advantage. After a leadoff flyout, the BlueJays put together three runs on three hits and two Wesleyan errors to take a 7-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 4^th inning
• The Cardinals best chance to score came in the 6^th inning, as they put together two hits. With two outs and nobody on, Lennon came through with a single to give the Cardinals some life in the final innings. Secaira-Cotto then singled to shortstop, followed by a Krissy Gately '24 walk and the bases were suddenly loaded. Elmhurst was able to calm back down and secure a huge strikeout to end the inning. The Cardinals would go down in order in the 7^th and Elmhurst came away with a 7-0 victory

 
NOTES:

• Baker (3.2 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 1 K) came in relief and shut the BlueJays down in the final 3+ innings of play
• Secaira-Cotto (2-for-3) continues to rip the cover off the ball at the plate, recording two more hits, and is now 7 for her last 10. She was joined with two hits by Lennon (2-for-3) who has the most hits on the team with 17
• Wesleyan finished the game with seven hits, leaving seven on base. Elmhurst had 13 hits leaving nine on base

 
UP NEXT:
The Cardinals will return home from their spring break trip for their conference/home-opener Saturday, March 25^th against the Amherst Mammoths. It will be a double-header with the games being played at 12 and 2 pm.