Marysville, MI - The Skippers hosted Mid Michigan College for their home opener of the 2024 season on Saturday, March 16th.
Mid Michigan opened the scoring in game 1 by putting up two runs in the first inning while the Skippers responded with one in the second. The battle, unfortunately, didn't last long as the Lakers continued to score runs in each inning resulting in a 13-1 loss for the Skippers. Alexis Perrin blasted a home run for the Skippers scoring their sole run in the second inning. Sarah Fantin and Avery Pegg both had hits for the Skippers in their attempt to rally.
Starting in the circle for the Skippers was Kaylie Rickert who faced 24 batters and went 4.1 innings. Rickert allowed nine hits and six runs while also striking out three batters in her outing. Brandi Bassett closed the game for the Skippers pitching the last 1.2 innings and allowing 6 runs.
Skippers opened up the scoring in game 2, putting up two runs in both the first and second inning before Mid Michigan scored in the third. The Skippers maintained their lead until the sixth inning when the Lakers tied the game. In the bottom of the sixth, Carley Kalbfleisch helped her own cause belting a go ahead home run before MaKynna Saltzman returned to hold the Lakers in the top of the seventh to win their first home game of the season, 8-7. There were a total of four home runs for the Skippers including Sarah Fantin, Carley Kalbfleisch, Alexis Perrin, and Natalie Sauer. The Skippers also had four players tally three hits which were Fantin, Perrin, Sauer, and Brandi Bassett. The basepaths were active with four stolen bases for the Skippers in their win.
MaKynna Saltzman started the game for SC4, going 5 innings and allowing 4 runs before she was releived. Carley Kalbfleisch pitched 1 inning allowing 2 hits and 3 runs in relief picking up the win. Saltzman returned to the game to pitch a scoreless 7th innning and record the save. Her final line was 6 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs, and 3 walks.
The Skippers will travel to Oakland Community College next Tuesday (March 19) for a double header to open up MCCAA Eastern Conference play.
