Sixth-Ranked Norse, Knights Take Down Titans

Calvin College (Mich.) and Luther College (Iowa) pulled away in the late innings to defeat the UW-Oshkosh softball team on Monday (March 24) in Clermont, Fla.

Sixth-ranked Luther College (9-2) used four hits and four RBI from Kelsey Rose to top the Titans, 6-1. During the nightcap, Kelsey Pollock ripped a two-run single in the sixth to give Calvin College a 5-3 victory.

Luther, which competed in the 2013 NCAA Division III World Series, jumped ahead with Rose's double in the first frame. Rose then doubled home two more runs during the third.

In the bottom of the third, Emily Mallek led off with a triple down the right field line. She later scored on an illegal pitch to make it 3-1.

The Norse concluded their scoring with RBI singles from Rose, Carli Radil and Kristen Winter.

Becca Girvan (win) struck out nine batters while allowing just one run in the complete game. Jill Vondrak also threw seven innings, yielding four earned runs with three strikeouts.

Trailing Calvin 1-0 in the third inning, Kassie Krueger delivered a run-scoring single to tie the game. The Knights (3-1) regained the lead on Cassidy Vlot's single during the bottom half.

The Titans (5-3) began the fifth frame with singles by Maggie Balke and Haley Bayreuther. UW-Oshkosh tied the contest on a throwing error before Mallek posted an RBI single to go ahead, 3-2.

Vondrak entered the game and got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. But during the sixth, Ashley Riemersma hit a solo homer and Pollock followed with her clutch hit to earn the win.

Caitlin Callow pitched all seven innings, allowing one ER on nine hits.

UW-Oshkosh starter Sara Brunlieb threw 4.1 innings while surrendering two ER with a career-high six strikeouts. Vondrak allowed three ER over the final 1.2 frames.

The Titans have games tomorrow against Wellesley College (Mass.) and SUNY-Potsdam.

By Jon Feyen