KISSIMMEE, Fla. — With a starting lineup that typically contains seven players who are first-years or sophomores, the young Kenyon College softball team is guaranteed to endure some growing pains this season. The Owls sustained a double dose of those pains Friday in run-rule losses to the University of Mount Union and College of Saint Benedict.
In the day’s first game against Mount Union (7-3), Kenyon pitching got roughed up by the Purple Raiders’ bats. Mount Union scored twice in the first inning, six times in the second inning, and then added three in the third and four in the fourth. The Purple Raiders wound up with a 15-1 five-inning victory by utilizing 17 hits, two walks, two stolen bases and one Kenyon error.
First-year starting pitcher Allison McCutchen recorded four outs and took the loss before being relieved by sophomore Amanda Harris in the second inning.
At the plate, the Owls managed six hits, two of which came off the bat of first-year outfielder Maeve McLaughlin. The one run Kenyon scored came in the first inning, when McLaughlin doubled home Madison Buckwalter, who previously got on base via a base on balls.
In game two, the Kenyon offense consisted of two singles, one from sophomore Natalya Delsante and one from senior Nicole Archambeau. Saint Benedict starting pitcher Elly Novak pitched four innings, giving up just the two hits and striking out five Kenyon batters.
St. Benedict (6-1) didn’t uncork a big offensive inning but managed a steady flow of runs throughout its 10-0 five-inning victory. The Bennies scored three in the first, one in the fourth, and two in the second, third and fifth.
Kenyon started first-year Sofia Zayas in the pitching circle, but she was removed in the third inning after giving up seven runs, four of which were earned. She also walked two and struck out one. Fellow first-year Jillian Messinger finished off the game, allowing four runs – two earned – in a little more than two innings of work. She walked one and struck out two.
Kenyon (1-9) has a off day Saturday and will return to the diamond Sunday at 9 a.m. against Farmingdale State University, followed by a 2 p.m. game against Bethel University.
