By Brad Hallier
The first NJCAA Tournament game in Hutchinson Community College softball history didn’t last long.
The 15th-seeded Blue Dragons needed just 75 minutes to walk off the field Monday in Oxford, Ala., as the Blue Dragons blanked No. 19 Connors State 8-0. The game ended with the Blue Dragons batting in the bottom of the fifth inning due to the eight-run mercy rule.
The Blue Dragons rapped out 12 hits, while Connors State mustered just two against pitcher Dakota Lake, who threw a complete game.
The Blue Dragons didn’t waste time jumping ahead with two runs in the first inning. Madi Divis’ single scored Olivia Sandoval with two outs, and Korri Lies’ single brought in Jaeleigh Darnell.
Hutch scored five runs in the second inning. Sandoval’s no-out, two-run single doubled the lead. Divis, Lies and Brie Brawner added RBI singles in the inning.
That was more than enough support for Lake, who has won her last three decisions and has not lost a decision since April 13. She struck out four and walked two.
The Blue Dragons will take on No. 2 Indian River at 2 p.m. Tuesday. The winner is finished for the day, while the loser plays again at 6 p.m.
