BLUE DRAGONS REACH 30-WIN MARK WITH SWEEP

Kiara DeCrane hit a three-run home run in Game 2 of a Blue Dragon softball doubleheader sweep of the Sterling College JV Warriors on Thursday at Fun Valley. (Joel Powers/Blue Dragon Sports Information)
Kiara DeCrane hit a three-run home run in Game 2 of a Blue Dragon softball doubleheader sweep of the Sterling College JV Warriors on Thursday at Fun Valley. (Joel Powers/Blue Dragon Sports Information)

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The No. 17-ranked Hutchinson Community College softball team racked up 28 runs on 25 hits on Thursday as the Blue Dragons defeated the Sterling College Junior Varsity 19-0 and 9-1 in a pair of run-rule rain make-up games at Fun Valley.

Now 31-9, the Blue Dragons reached the 30-win plateau for the fourth-straight season, the seventh time in head coach Jaime Rose's 14-year tenure and for the 12th time in program history.

The Blue Dragons will close out the regular season with a Sophomore Night doubleheader against the Bethany College Junior Varsity at 5 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Fun Valley.

GAME 1 RECAP
Natalie Semmel had a career-high four hits and three runs scored while driving in a pair in a 4-for-4 performance to lead Hutchinson's 16-hit attack.

The Blue Dragons scored at least one run in each of their four offensive innings, including four in the first and a season-high 11 runs in the third inning. That was Hutch's second inning this season of 10 or more runs.

The Dragons also took advantage of six Sterling walks and seven Warrior errors.

Five different Dragons had multi-hit games in Game l. Brooke Jamison came off the bench to go 2 for 2 with a double and two RBIs. Raven Bass was 2 for 2 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs. D. J. Cannon was 2 for 3 with a double. Ashton Reynolds was 2 for 3 with three runs and two RBIs.

Cannon (16-4) worked the first 2 2-3 innings with no hits allowed. She struck out seven and walked one for her 34th career victory. Megan Davis worked 1 1-3 innings with two strikeouts and two hits allowed. Brittany Reynolds worked the final inning.

GAME 2 RECAP
Kiara DeCrane snapped an 18-game homer-less streak and snapped a 2-for-22 slump with a first-inning three-run home run and two total hits in a run-rule win in the nightcap.

DeCrane's home run came with two out in a four-run first inning. The Blue Dragons added four runs in the third. Jamison had a sacrifice fly, Reynolds hit a two-run double and Bre Johnson had an RBI single in the third.

The Blue Dragons had nine hits in the second game. DeCrane was 2 for 3 with two runs and three RBIs. Johnson was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a stolen base.

Destiny Schulze (11-5) was the winning pitcher with 2 2-3 innings worked. She allowed only one hit and struck out three with two walks. Brynne Stockman worked the final 2 1-3 innings with two hits and one run allowed.