Hamilton softball explodes for nine home runs in doubleheader power surge
The Hamilton softball team came into the season having to replace a Division I college pitcher.
But the Hawkeyes have plenty of hitters back and proved it in a stunning slugging display on Tuesday, slamming nine home runs in a doubleheader sweep over Fruitport to open the season.
Hamilton won 16-5 and 16-6.
Kianna Vork slammed three home runs, while Abby VandenBerg and Taylor Oosterink each hit two. Ella Davison and Julia Brown each added one.
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The Hawkeyes totaled 38 hits in the two games. Vork had seven hits, while Oosterink, Brown and VandenBerg each had six.
"We certainly hit the ball tonight," Hamilton coach Mark Behnke said. "I don't know if I have ever witnessed anything like that. In game 2, Fruitport took a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth and we exploded for 14 runs in what seemed like a matter of Kianna Vork was a catalyst both at the plate and in the circle. We are learning a lot about what we can become as a team. We certainly have things to work on but it was a great opening night."
Vork won both games pitching. She pitched a complete game in the opener and came in to win in relief in the second game. She totaled 12 strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Hamilton softball explodes for nine home runs in doubleheader
