Offensive Struggles See Saints Swept at Hutchinson

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Seward softball fell in both ends of a doubleheader to Hutchinson on Saturday at Fun Valley Sports Complex.

The Saints (8-12, 2-2 KJCCC) lost 7-3 in game one and 3-0 in game two in their first road doubleheader of the season. Seward returns to action on Wednesday when they travel to El Dorado for a doubleheader at Butler CC beginning at 1 p.m.

Game 1: Hutchinson 7, Seward 3

Game one saw Seward get to business quickly as Amithys Perez launched a three-run home run in the top of the first, scoring Taylor Harding, who singled, and Emily Lane, who walked.

Kaitlyn Gonzales tossed 2.0 scoreless innings but ran into trouble in the third inning with two walks to lead things off. Liberty Sharman (L, 2-6) came on in relief but the Blue Dragons struck for four runs to take a 4-3 lead. They added three more in the fourth to go ahead 7-3 before Sharman settled in and tossed two scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth.

The Seward offense mustered just one hit in the game after the first inning as they were outhit 11-3.

Game 2: Hutchinson 3, Seward 0

Saint starter Grace Horne (L, 3-5) had a strong outing, allowing just three runs while scattering seven hits and striking out three, but Seward was unable to push a run across in the game.

Hutchinson had just one more hit (7-6) than Seward, but the Saints stranded seven baserunners. The Blue Dragons used single runs in the first, third, and fifth to escape with the 3-0 win.

Brynlei Taylor finished 2-3 for Seward, the only Saint with multiple hits.