The Hamline women’s softball team is off to a lackluster start this season. Over spring break, they had several games and made many memories. With four double headers, which amounts to eight games over the course of the week, the team had an incredibly challenging run of games during their time in California.
The team began their trip on March 10 with a double header against Whittier College. Both games ended in losses. The first 6–11, the second 0–10. Some hitting standouts from the first game include junior Mikenna Johnson, who scored one run and had a Run Batted In (RBI). Senior Josephine Cariveau contributed to the tally immensely with three RBIs. Senior Elena Martinez had two runs overall, while first-year Brennan Reid rounded out the total runs with one. On the diamond, senior and Oracle staff member Montana Miller totaled five strikeouts between the two games.
On March 11, they played a doubleheader against Cal Lutheran. They lost their first game, 1–8. However, they turned it around in the second game with a win of 7–6. This became their second win of the season. Batting standouts from this round of games include first-year Julia Sina, who batted in sophomore Natalynn Lundeen. As well as first-years Brenna Reid and Brie Bakke, who both had one RBI and one run. Senior Maddie Johnson also had two RBIs. In the second game, a fielding standout included Bakke, who had an impressive nine putouts while playing in the infield.
On March 13, the team played another doubleheader against Claremont Mudd-Scripps College. The first game ended with a loss of 0–8. However, during the second game against the team, they battled up to four runs, but ended up losing by three runs. With a score of 4–7. Batting standouts in game one include Cariveau with two at-bats and two hits. In game two, Martinez contributed three hits with four at-bats. While also completing one run. Fielding standouts include Johnson and first-year Sophie Schwartz-Bannon, both with three putouts in the first game. As well as Bakke, with five putouts in the second game.
The team ended their trip to California with a final double header against Pomona Pitzer on March 14. The first game ended with a close battle of 6–9, and the second game ended with an unfortunate loss of 1–9. Standouts from this run of games include first-year Brennan Reid with four at-bats, two hits, and one RBI. Johnson also contributed three at-bats, one hit, and one run. On the fielding side, Bakke once again contributed immensely in the infield, with fourteen putouts.
Throughout the trip, the team had several opportunities to see the sights of California. Including the opportunity to explore the softball fields on the UCLA campus. As well as the chance to sightsee around the iconic Rose Bowl field. Overall, the trip was intense, exciting, and challenging for the softball program.
